---
title: Does long-term estradiol implant therapy help PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: Yes, all 50 patients had continued benefit for all symptoms over 5.6 years, with 74 to 96 percent relief depending on the symptom. However, about 58 percent d
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-long-term-effects-of-estradiol-implant-therapy-for-the-treatment-of-1990/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Does long-term estradiol implant therapy help PMS symptoms?

Cohort study, 1990

# Does long-term estradiol implant therapy help PMS symptoms?

Yes, all 50 patients had continued benefit for all symptoms over 5.6 years, with 74 to 96 percent relief depending on the symptom. However, about 58 percent developed progestin side effects, and 8 patients needed hysterectomy.

 Moderate study design

50 patients receiving estradiol implants for PMS, followed 5.6 years on average

## What they did

50 patients receiving estradiol implants for PMS were followed for an average of 5.6 years (range 2 to 8 years). Most also received progestin to protect the uterus. Researchers tracked symptom relief and complications.

## What they found

All symptoms improved, with bloating relieved in 74% and depression in 96%. Menstrual cycle control improved in 31 patients and periods became less painful in 30 patients. However, 58% developed cyclical progestogenic symptoms from the progestin. Seven patients had persistent severe symptoms despite dose or type adjustments. Eight patients had hysterectomies: 5 for continuing progestogenic symptoms, 1 for prolapse, 2 for prolonged bleeding. Four patients developed cystic hyperplasia. Uterine enlargement occurred in all 8 hysterectomy patients. No blood clots, pulmonary embolism, breast disease, or atypical endometrial hyperplasia occurred.

## What it means for you

Estradiol implants effectively relieve PMS symptoms long-term, but progestin side effects are common and challenging to manage. Some patients need surgery to address these effects. There was no control group, so we cannot compare to doing nothing. The main practical limitation is managing progestin-related symptoms.

50

patients with PMS treated

74-96%

symptom relief range (bloating to depression)

58%

developed progestin-related side effects

## About the study

Original title The long-term effects of estradiol implant therapy for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome Authors Watson NR, Studd JW, Savvas M et al. Journal Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology Year 1990 Study design Cohort study Participants 31 What was tested Estradiol implants with progestin management Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/09513599009012326](https://doi.org/10.3109/09513599009012326)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Surgical menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-surgery/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Randomised trial, 2012

Do hysterectomy or hormonal IUDs reduce premenstrual symptoms in women with heavy periods?

Systematic review, 2007

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Review, 2012

Does stopping ovulation help premenstrual symptoms?

Case report, 2023

Can stopping ovulation help severe PMDD when other treatments do not work?

Survey study, 2015

Does migraine increase during menopause, and can hormone therapy help?

Non-randomised trial, 2014

Does hormone therapy help women with depression linked to periods and menopause?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗
