---
title: Does a five-day gradual reduction of chlormadinone help PMDD symptoms?
description: Yes, significantly reducing anxiety and depression and some other symptoms by the third month of treatment. This is a small pilot study, so larger trials are
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-five-day-gradual-reduction-regimen-of-chlormadinone-reduces-premenstrual-2006/
---

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- Does a five-day gradual reduction of chlormadinone help PMDD symptoms?

Randomised trial, 2006

# Does a five-day gradual reduction of chlormadinone help PMDD symptoms?

Yes, significantly reducing anxiety and depression and some other symptoms by the third month of treatment. This is a small pilot study, so larger trials are needed to confirm.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with PMDD (number not stated in abstract)

## What they did

Pilot, controlled, double-blind study. Women took chlormadinone acetate starting at 10 mg on day 24 of their menstrual cycle, reducing by one tablet each day until reaching 2 mg on day 28. A control group received placebo with the same regimen. Effects were measured by month three.

## What they found

Daily symptom scores improved significantly by month three (p<0.02). The chances of improvement were 4.09 times higher with chlormadinone than placebo (p<0.005). Chlormadinone reduced depression, anxiety, food cravings, mood swings, and cramps. Some symptoms like irritability and poor coordination improved statistically but with small real-world benefit. Concentration, tiredness, insomnia, swelling, breast tenderness, and aches did not improve. Side effects: 30% experienced cycle changes, 15% experienced indigestion.

## What it means for you

A short course of gradual chlormadinone reduction may help some PMDD symptoms, especially mood-related ones. This is a pilot study and did not report how many women participated, so results need confirmation in a larger trial.

4.09

Relative risk of improvement

30%

Experienced cycle changes

15%

Experienced indigestion

## About the study

Original title A five-day gradual reduction regimen of chlormadinone reduces premenstrual anxiety and depression: a pilot study Authors Contreras CM, Azamar-Arizmendi G, Saavedra M et al. Journal Archives of medical research Year 2006 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Five-day gradual reduction of chlormadinone acetate (10 mg to 2 mg per day) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.arcmed.2006.05.001](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arcmed.2006.05.001)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)

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.

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