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.
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
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