Randomised trial, 1982
Is bromocriptine or norethisterone more effective for premenstrual syndrome?
Bromocriptine reduced breast engorgement, irritability, and total symptoms more than placebo, while norethisterone only helped breast tenderness. Bromocriptine worked better but had more side effects.
What they did
A randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study with 36 women with premenstrual syndrome. Women received either bromocriptine, norethisterone, or placebo.
What they found
Bromocriptine decreased breast engorgement and irritability (P less than .01), decreased total symptom scores (P less than .05), and reduced weight gain during the luteal phase (P less than .05). Norethisterone alleviated breast tenderness (P less than .05). Bromocriptine caused side effects in 6 women and norethisterone in 3 women.
What it means for you
Bromocriptine appears more effective than norethisterone for multiple premenstrual symptoms, but it causes more side effects. The study is small (36 women) and from 1982. Norethisterone caused more hormonal changes, which might be a concern for long-term use.
36
Women in the study
6
Women with side effects from bromocriptine
3
Women with side effects from norethisterone
About the study
- Original title
- Bromocriptine and norethisterone in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Ylöstalo P, Kauppila A, Puolakka J et al.
- Journal
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Year
- 1982
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 3
- What was tested
- Bromocriptine or norethisterone versus placebo
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6804900/
Topics
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