---
title: Does progesterone or progestogens help manage PMS? | Niyora
description: No, progesterone has no clinically meaningful benefit compared to placebo, and progestogens show only a small improvement that doesn't matter in practice. Thi
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/efficacy-of-progesterone-and-progestogens-in-management-of-premenstrual-syndrome-2001/
---

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- Does progesterone or progestogens help manage PMS?

Systematic review, 2001

# Does progesterone or progestogens help manage PMS?

No, progesterone has no clinically meaningful benefit compared to placebo, and progestogens show only a small improvement that doesn't matter in practice. This comes from a high-quality review of many randomized trials, so the conclusion is fairly reliable.

 Strong study design

531 women in progesterone trials and 378 women in progestogens trials, all with PMS

## What they did

Systematic review of 10 randomized controlled trials of progesterone therapy (531 women) and 4 trials of progestogens (378 women), comparing these treatments to placebo.

## What they found

Progesterone had an odds ratio of 1.05, meaning no clinically important benefit over placebo. Progestogens had an odds ratio of 1.07, showing statistically significant improvement but not clinically meaningful enough to recommend.

## What it means for you

These hormone treatments don't work well enough to recommend for managing PMS. This is based on a rigorous review of many controlled trials, making the conclusion fairly reliable. However, it doesn't explain why some women feel they benefit.

531

women in progesterone trials

378

women in progestogens trials

1.05

odds ratio for progesterone versus placebo

## About the study

Original title Efficacy of progesterone and progestogens in management of premenstrual syndrome: systematic review Authors Wyatt K, Dimmock P, Jones P et al. Journal BMJ (Clinical research ed.) Year 2001 Study design Systematic review What was tested Progesterone (suppositories or oral) or progestogens compared to placebo Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1136/bmj.323.7316.776](https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.323.7316.776)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)

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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