Randomised trial, 2005
Does stopping ovulation help irritable bowel syndrome that gets worse during the menstrual cycle?
Yes, stopping ovulation with leuprolide acetate significantly improved bowel symptoms related to the menstrual cycle. Adding tibolone (a hormone) did not improve bowel symptoms further but did improve quality of life more than leuprolide alone.
What they did
A randomized controlled trial with 120 women divided into three groups. Group A received leuprolide acetate (11.25 mg every 3 months) plus tibolone. Group B received leuprolide plus placebo tablets. Group C received placebo injection plus placebo tablets. All women had bowel problems that got worse during their menstrual cycle. Treatment lasted 6 months.
What they found
In all groups, bowel symptoms and quality of life improved from the start. However, groups A and B (leuprolide) showed significantly more improvement than group C (placebo). No difference was found between groups A and B in bowel symptoms. Quality of life scores were significantly higher in group A than group B.
What it means for you
Stopping ovulation using leuprolide acetate effectively treats bowel problems that worsen during the menstrual cycle. Adding tibolone does not improve bowel symptoms further but does improve overall wellbeing more. The study was conducted at two universities in Italy and only included premenopausal women, so results may not apply in other settings.
120
Number of women studied
6 months
Duration of treatment
11.25 mg
Dose of leuprolide acetate given every 3 months
About the study
- Original title
- Leuprolide acetate treatment with and without coadministration of tibolone in premenopausal women with menstrual cycle-related irritable bowel syndrome
- Authors
- Palomba S, Orio F Jr, Manguso F et al.
- Journal
- Fertility and sterility
- Year
- 2005
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Leuprolide acetate (11.25 mg every 3 months) with or without tibolone, compared to placebo.
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.12.007
Topics
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