---
title: Does toremifene reduce breast pain by changing hormone levels?
description: Toremifene helped breast pain, but it didn't change the hormone levels tested, so how it works remains unclear.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/toremifene-use-does-not-alter-serum-inhibin-a-and-b-levels-during-mid-luteal-2010/
---

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- Does toremifene reduce breast pain by changing hormone levels?

Randomised trial, 2010

# Does toremifene reduce breast pain by changing hormone levels?

Toremifene helped breast pain, but it didn't change the hormone levels tested, so how it works remains unclear.

 Moderate study design

48 women with premenstrual breast pain

## What they did

48 women took toremifene or placebo during the second half of their menstrual cycle in a crossover trial where they tried both. Blood samples were taken three times: at the start, during the third toremifene cycle, and during the third placebo cycle.

## What they found

Inhibin A levels were 42 pg/ml with toremifene, 38 with placebo, and 40 at baseline (p=0.638 toremifene versus baseline). Inhibin B levels were 19 ng/l at baseline, 20 with placebo, and 17 with toremifene (p=0.983 toremifene versus baseline). No significant difference was found in either hormone.

## What it means for you

Toremifene reduces breast pain but not through inhibin A or B levels. We do not know how it works. Limitation: Only 48 women and only two hormone levels were measured. The mechanism needs further study.

48

women with premenstrual breast pain

42

inhibin A level (pg/ml) with toremifene

17

inhibin B level (ng/l) with toremifene

## About the study

Original title Toremifene use does not alter serum inhibin A and B levels during mid-luteal phase in women with premenstrual mastalgia Authors Oksa S, Luukkaala T, Mäenpää JU Journal Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology Year 2010 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Toremifene 20 mg per day during the luteal phase versus placebo Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/09513590903215441](https://doi.org/10.3109/09513590903215441)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)

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