--- title: Does oral progesterone work better than vaginal progesterone for PMS? description: No. Both oral and vaginal progesterone were no better than placebo for PMS symptoms, even though oral progesterone created higher levels of potentially calmin url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-of-progesterone-and-its-5-alpha-and-5-beta-metabolites-on-symptoms-of-1996/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does oral progesterone work better than vaginal progesterone for PMS? Randomised trial, 1996 # Does oral progesterone work better than vaginal progesterone for PMS? No. Both oral and vaginal progesterone were no better than placebo for PMS symptoms, even though oral progesterone created higher levels of potentially calming metabolites. Moderate study design 25 women with PMS ## What they did In a double-blind crossover trial, 25 women with PMS received 300 mg of oral progesterone daily, 200 mg of vaginal progesterone daily, or placebo for 10 days before their period. Researchers measured multiple symptoms using validated questionnaires and checked blood hormone levels. ## What they found Although there was a significant overall treatment effect, oral progesterone was not better than placebo, and vaginal progesterone was not better than placebo. Oral progesterone did create much higher levels of metabolites (5 alpha and 5 beta pregnanolone) than vaginal progesterone. There was a negative correlation between 5 alpha pregnanolone levels and anxiety symptoms, but overall premenstrual distress and anxiety were not reduced more by either form of progesterone than by placebo. ## What it means for you Even though progesterone produces metabolites that are thought to be calming, taking it as a supplement does not reduce PMS symptoms beyond placebo. This was a small study that was stopped early when it became clear that progesterone was not working. The results suggest progesterone may not be a useful treatment for PMS. 25 Number of women 10 days Duration of treatment 300/200 mg Progesterone doses oral/vaginal ## About the study Original title Effect of progesterone and its 5 alpha and 5 beta metabolites on symptoms of premenstrual syndrome according to route of administration Authors Vanselow W, Dennerstein L, Greenwood KM et al. Journal Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology Year 1996 Study design Randomised trial Participants 25 What was tested 300 mg daily oral progesterone, 200 mg daily vaginal progesterone, or placebo Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/01674829609025661](https://doi.org/10.3109/01674829609025661) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/) 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. ## Related studies Randomised trial, 1995 Do vaginal progesterone suppositories relieve PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2014 Does allopregnanolone, a progesterone metabolite, cause mood problems in PMDD? Survey study, 2009 Why do some women feel depressed or anxious when progesterone increases before their period? Systematic review, 2023 What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy? Survey study, 2022 What causes PMS and PMDD and what new treatments are being studied? Systematic review, 2008 What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗