---
title: Does mefenamic acid help premenstrual tension? | Niyora
description: Yes. 86 percent of women reported significant relief of premenstrual tension with mefenamic acid, and the drug appears to work by lowering prostaglandin level
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-treatment-of-premenstrual-tension-with-mefenamic-acid-analysis-of-1984/
---

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- Does mefenamic acid help premenstrual tension?

Randomised trial, 1984

# Does mefenamic acid help premenstrual tension?

Yes. 86 percent of women reported significant relief of premenstrual tension with mefenamic acid, and the drug appears to work by lowering prostaglandin levels.

 Moderate study design

80 women with premenstrual tension

## What they did

80 women received mefenamic acid for mean 13 months with symptoms tracked. In 19 of these women, prostaglandin levels were measured during 3 cycles: 1 untreated, then 2 cycles of mefenamic acid or placebo in random double-blind order, compared to 22 matched controls.

## What they found

Of 80 women treated, 86 percent reported significant relief of premenstrual tension. Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia symptoms also improved. In the 19 women who had prostaglandin measurements, plasma concentrations of PGE2, PGF2 alpha, and PGFM were significantly lower compared to 22 control subjects across all 3 cycles.

## What it means for you

Mefenamic acid helps premenstrual tension, possibly by reducing prostaglandins. However, the main finding (86 percent relief in 80 women) was from an open, uncontrolled study without a placebo group, so placebo effect may play a role. Only 19 of the 80 women had prostaglandin measurements.

80

Women treated

86%

Reported significant relief

13

Mean treatment duration in months

## About the study

Original title The treatment of premenstrual tension with mefenamic acid: analysis of prostaglandin concentrations Authors Jakubowicz DL, Godard E, Dewhurst J Journal British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Year 1984 Study design Randomised trial Participants 22 What was tested Mefenamic acid for a mean of 13 months Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1984.tb05283.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1984.tb05283.x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)

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