--- title: Do oestradiol patches help severe premenstrual symptoms? | Niyora description: Yes, oestradiol patches worked better than placebo when women switched from placebo to active treatment. Both groups improved initially, but women who switche url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/treatment-of-severe-premenstrual-syndrome-with-oestradiol-patches-and-cyclical-1989/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do oestradiol patches help severe premenstrual symptoms? Randomised trial, 1989 # Do oestradiol patches help severe premenstrual symptoms? Yes, oestradiol patches worked better than placebo when women switched from placebo to active treatment. Both groups improved initially, but women who switched from active to placebo got worse, while those who switched from placebo to active maintained or improved their gains. Moderate study design 40 women with severe premenstrual symptoms ## What they did 40 women were randomly assigned to placebo patches or oestradiol patches (2x100 micrograms) to stop ovulation, plus norethisterone tablets on days 19-26 of the cycle. The study lasted 6 months with treatment switched at the 3-month mark. Women filled out daily symptom questionnaires. ## What they found After 3 months, both groups showed improvement in symptom scores. Between months 3 and 6, women who switched from active treatment to placebo had worsening scores, while those who switched from placebo to active treatment maintained or improved their scores. Significant improvements occurred in five of six negative symptom clusters and six of ten premenstrual distress symptoms when switching to active treatment. ## What it means for you Oestradiol patches helped reduce PMS symptoms more than placebo. However, both groups improved initially, suggesting a strong placebo effect. Small study with only 40 women. Both groups got norethisterone, so it is hard to know how much was from the patches versus the other hormone. 40 women studied 6 months study duration 100 micrograms oestradiol dose ## About the study Original title Treatment of severe premenstrual syndrome with oestradiol patches and cyclical oral norethisterone Authors Watson NR, Studd JW, Savvas M et al. Journal Lancet (London, England) Year 1989 Study design Randomised trial Participants 40 What was tested Oestradiol patches (2x100 micrograms) plus norethisterone versus placebo patches Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(89)90784-8](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(89)90784-8) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/) 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 Systematic review, 2023 What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy? Survey study, 2022 What causes PMS and PMDD and what new treatments are being studied? Systematic review, 2015 What are the effects of continuous hormonal treatments for premenstrual syndrome? Review, 2012 How should premenstrual disorders be diagnosed and organized? Review, 2012 How is PMS diagnosed and treated, especially in women approaching menopause? Randomised trial, 2012 Do hysterectomy or hormonal IUDs reduce premenstrual symptoms in women with heavy periods? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗