---
title: Does tamoxifen or danazol help severe cyclical breast pain? | Niyora
description: Yes. Both drugs reduced pain more than placebo during treatment, but tamoxifen was more effective and longer-lasting, with 53% still symptom-free 12 months af
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/comparison-of-tamoxifen-with-danazol-for-treatment-of-cyclical-mastalgia-1997/
---

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- Does tamoxifen or danazol help severe cyclical breast pain?

Randomised trial, 1997

# Does tamoxifen or danazol help severe cyclical breast pain?

Yes. Both drugs reduced pain more than placebo during treatment, but tamoxifen was more effective and longer-lasting, with 53% still symptom-free 12 months after stopping.

 Strong study design

93 women with severe cyclical breast pain lasting more than 6 months

## What they did

Ninety-three women with severe cyclical breast pain lasting more than 6 months were randomly assigned to tamoxifen, danazol, or placebo for 6 consecutive menstrual cycles. Pain relief was measured on a linear analog scale. Women were followed for 12 months after treatment ended.

## What they found

During treatment, pain relief was achieved in 72% (23 of 32) taking tamoxifen, 65% (21 of 32) taking danazol, and 38% (11 of 29) taking placebo. At 12 months follow-up, 53% (17 of 32) of the tamoxifen group were still symptom-free, compared to 37% (12 of 32) of the danazol group and 0% of the placebo group.

## What it means for you

For severe cyclical breast pain, tamoxifen works better than danazol and much better than placebo, with longer-lasting relief. The main limit is that the abstract does not describe side effects or which women might experience them.

93

Women studied

72%

Pain relief with tamoxifen during treatment

53%

Symptom-free at 12 months after tamoxifen

## About the study

Original title Comparison of tamoxifen with danazol for treatment of cyclical mastalgia Authors Kontostolis E, Stefanidis K, Navrozoglou I et al. Journal Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology Year 1997 Study design Randomised trial Participants 32 What was tested Tamoxifen or danazol taken for 6 consecutive menstrual cycles Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/09513599709152566](https://doi.org/10.3109/09513599709152566)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Economic burden](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-economic-burden/)

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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