Randomised trial, 1994
Does stopping ovulation help severe premenstrual tension?
Yes, a drug that stops ovulation (goserelin) reduced breast discomfort and swelling significantly. It also reduced mood swings, though the effect on mood was weaker and had a strong placebo component.
What they did
Randomized, double-blind study comparing goserelin (3.6 mg injected once a month) to placebo over 3 months in 32 women with severe premenstrual tension confirmed by symptom tracking. Of 16 women per group, 15 completed goserelin treatment and 12 completed placebo.
What they found
Active treatment significantly reduced breast discomfort and swelling. Anxiety and depression also improved in actively treated cycles, but a strong placebo effect was present. Significant differences between treatment and placebo appeared mainly during the first treatment cycle and the first cycle after treatment stopped.
What it means for you
Stopping ovulation helps physical PMS symptoms more than mood symptoms. There is a strong placebo effect in PMS treatment, which is important to understand when evaluating treatments. The main limitation is the relatively small sample size.
32
women enrolled
15
completed goserelin treatment
12
completed placebo treatment
About the study
- Original title
- Ovarian suppression with the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist goserelin (Zoladex) in management of the premenstrual tension syndrome
- Authors
- West CP, Hillier H
- Journal
- Human reproduction (Oxford, England)
- Year
- 1994
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 32
- What was tested
- Goserelin 3.6 mg injected monthly for 3 months, compared to placebo.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a138633
Topics
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