Cohort study, 2015

Can a procedure to treat heavy periods also ease premenstrual symptoms like bloating and mood swings?

In this small study, women reported clear improvement in all 6 premenstrual symptoms up to a year after endometrial ablation, but without a comparison group we can't be fully certain the procedure itself was the cause.

Early or limited evidence 59 women with heavy periods awaiting endometrial ablation, at a university hospital in Canada

What they did

Researchers followed 59 women in Canada who were waiting to have endometrial ablation (a procedure that removes the lining of the womb) for heavy periods. Women rated 6 premenstrual symptoms on a 0 to 10 scale before surgery, then again 4 months and 12 months afterward. Nine women were excluded along the way.

What they found

All 6 symptoms (irritability, agitation/anxiety, depression/sadness, headache, swelling/bloating, breast tenderness) were significantly less severe up to a year after surgery. Bloating improved the most, dropping by 4.1 points out of 10 at 4 months and 3.1 points at 12 months. Women who started with the worst symptoms improved the most, but even women with mild symptoms saw significant improvement in 4 of the 6 symptoms.

What it means for you

Endometrial ablation, usually done to treat heavy bleeding, may also reduce premenstrual symptoms like bloating, irritability, low mood, headache, and breast tenderness. Main limits: no comparison group of untreated women, small sample, and all women already had heavy periods, so results may not apply to women with normal periods or PMDD without heavy bleeding.

women recruited for the study

4.1

drop in bloating score (out of 10) at 4 months

3.1

drop in bloating score (out of 10) at 12 months

About the study

Original title: Effect of endometrial ablation on premenstrual symptoms
Authors: Waddell G, Pelletier J, Desindes S et al.
Journal: Journal of minimally invasive gynecology
Year: 2015
Study design: Cohort study
Participants: 59
What was tested: Endometrial ablation (microwave, impedance-controlled, or rollerball technique) for heavy menstrual bleeding
Read the paper: doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2015.01.023

Topics

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)Students and academic performance Low mood and depression Irritability and anger Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms

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