Randomised trial, 2016
Does blocking progesterone conversion help PMDD symptoms?
A high dose of dutasteride reduced several PMDD symptoms by blocking conversion of progesterone to a hormone compound. However, only the high dose worked and the study was small.
What they did
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial where 16 women with PMDD and 16 control women took either placebo or dutasteride for three menstrual cycles. Low-dose group received 0.5 mg daily and high-dose group received 2.5 mg daily. Researchers measured symptoms and hormone levels at two phases of the cycle.
What they found
The low-dose dutasteride had no significant effect and hormone levels still changed across the cycle as usual. The high-dose group had statistically significant reductions in irritability, sadness, anxiety, food cravings, and bloating compared to placebo. Dutasteride did not affect mood in the control women.
What it means for you
High-dose dutasteride may work by stabilizing hormone levels related to mood, but only the high dose was effective. The study was very small (16 women per group) and used a complex crossover design, so larger studies are needed to confirm.
2.5 mg/day
effective high dose
0.5 mg/day
low dose (not effective)
3
menstrual cycles
About the study
- Original title
- 5α-Reductase Inhibition Prevents the Luteal Phase Increase in Plasma Allopregnanolone Levels and Mitigates Symptoms in Women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Authors
- Martinez PE, Rubinow DR, Nieman LK et al.
- Journal
- Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
- Year
- 2016
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 16
- What was tested
- Dutasteride at low dose (0.5 mg daily) or high dose (2.5 mg daily)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1038/npp.2015.246
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2017
Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)?
Randomised trial, 2018
How do progesterone metabolites affect PMDD symptoms?
Review, 2003
How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD?
Randomised trial, 2021
Does blocking progesterone receptors help women with PMDD control anger and aggression?
Randomised trial, 2021
Does ulipristal acetate help premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
Case-control study, 2026
What role do brain chemicals called neurosteroids play in PMDD?