---
title: Does spironolactone, a water pill, help with premenstrual syndrome symptoms?
description: Some well-designed studies found that spironolactone helped reduce bloating and belly swelling during PMS. It may also improve mood and emotional symptoms.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-of-spironolactone-on-premenstrual-syndrome-symptoms-1987/
---

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- Does spironolactone, a water pill, help with premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

Review, 1987

# Does spironolactone, a water pill, help with premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

Some well-designed studies found that spironolactone helped reduce bloating and belly swelling during PMS. It may also improve mood and emotional symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with premenstrual syndrome

## What they did

This was a review of studies and theories about the role of water retention in PMS and whether water pills, particularly spironolactone, help treat it.

## What they found

Well-conducted studies showed that diuretics, especially spironolactone, relieved bloatedness and abdominal distension. Improvements in emotional symptoms were also reported.

## What it means for you

Spironolactone may help some PMS symptoms, even though the link to water retention is still not fully proven. The main limitation is that this review is based on a limited number of studies.

## About the study

Original title Effect of spironolactone on premenstrual syndrome symptoms Authors Vellacott ID, O'Brien PM Journal The Journal of reproductive medicine Year 1987 Study design Review What was tested Spironolactone (a diuretic) Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3302250/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3302250/)

## 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/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)

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

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Does drospirenone with ethinyl estradiol birth control help PMDD?

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What treatments work for PMS and PMDD?

Randomised trial, 1995

Does spironolactone help PMS symptoms?

Randomised trial, 1983

Is bromocriptine effective for premenstrual syndrome?

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