Non-randomised trial, 1993
Does low-dose valproate help premenstrual syndrome?
In this small trial, only 3 of 8 women with premenstrual syndrome (38%) reported good response to low-dose valproate, while 5 reported no response. The medication worked much better for mood disorders than for PMS.
What they did
Open trial with 33 patients total. Eight were women with menstrually-related mood cycling. They started on 125 to 250 mg daily and doses were adjusted upward based on response. Doses and blood levels were tracked over time.
What they found
Of 8 women with menstrually-related PMS, 3 (38%) had good responses to low-dose valproate. Doses ranged from 125 to 500 mg with a mean of 351 mg. Five women reported no response. Mean blood level was 32.5 mcg/mL.
What it means for you
Low-dose valproate does not appear effective for PMS in this study, unlike for bipolar disorders. Main limitation is the very small sample of only 8 women with PMS, no control group, and no blinding.
3 of 8 (38%)
women with good response
351 mg
mean daily dose
32.5 mcg/mL
mean blood level
About the study
- Original title
- Low-dose valproate: a new treatment for cyclothymia, mild rapid cycling disorders, and premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Jacobsen FM
- Journal
- The Journal of clinical psychiatry
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 33
- What was tested
- Low-dose valproate 125 to 500 mg daily
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8331092/
Topics
Related studies
Review, 2003
How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD?
Systematic review, 2019
Do lithium and valproate levels change during the menstrual cycle?
Cohort study, 2011
Does premenstrual symptom worsening change how bipolar disorder develops over time?
Review, 2010
Can neurosteroids help with anxiety and brain disorders?
Cohort study, 2004
Do women with bipolar disorder on mood-stabilizing medication experience premenstrual symptom worsening?
Survey study, 2026
Among women with bipolar I disorder, who is more likely to also have PMDD?