---
title: Does suppressing ovulation with estradiol implants and progestin help severe premenstrual syndrome?
description: Yes, estradiol implants combined with cyclical progestin significantly relieved symptoms. The effect lasted throughout treatment, even though a very high prop
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/treatment-of-the-premenstrual-syndrome-by-subcutaneous-estradiol-implants-and-1986/
---

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- Does suppressing ovulation with estradiol implants and progestin help severe premenstrual syndrome?

Randomised trial, 1986

# Does suppressing ovulation with estradiol implants and progestin help severe premenstrual syndrome?

Yes, estradiol implants combined with cyclical progestin significantly relieved symptoms. The effect lasted throughout treatment, even though a very high proportion of placebo-treated women also improved.

 Strong study design

68 women with proven premenstrual syndrome

## What they did

68 women with proven PMS received placebo-controlled treatment for up to 10 months. The active treatment used subcutaneous estradiol implants combined with cyclical oral norethisterone. Symptoms were tracked daily using menstrual distress questionnaires, visual analogue scales, and a 60-item general health questionnaire.

## What they found

Of 35 women given placebo, 33 improved (94% response rate), but this improvement gradually decreased. The active treatment group maintained their improvement throughout the study. After 2 months, estradiol implants were significantly better than placebo for all six symptom clusters measured.

## What it means for you

Suppressing ovulation appears effective for severe PMS. The 94% placebo response rate shows PMS is influenced by expectations, but active treatment genuinely worked better and the benefit was sustained. This suggests it is a reasonable option for severe cases.

68

women with proven PMS

94%

placebo response rate

2 months

time to see active treatment benefit

## About the study

Original title Treatment of the premenstrual syndrome by subcutaneous estradiol implants and cyclical oral norethisterone: placebo controlled study Authors Magos AL, Brincat M, Studd JW Journal British medical journal (Clinical research ed.) Year 1986 Study design Randomised trial Participants 35 What was tested Subcutaneous estradiol implants plus cyclical oral norethisterone versus placebo Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1136/bmj.292.6536.1629](https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.292.6536.1629)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)

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

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