Randomised trial, 1993
Does long-acting GnRH agonist injection help severe premenstrual syndrome?
Despite changing hormone levels as expected, the injection did not reduce symptoms more than saline placebo injections. This suggests either a strong placebo effect or that this treatment is not effective.
What they did
12 women with severe PMS, regular cycles, and no psychiatric disorders received placebo-controlled crossover treatment. They got either normal saline or depot leuprolide acetate 7.5 mg injected every 30 days starting with menses. Each subject received the same agent twice before switching.
What they found
Significant decrease in PMS symptoms occurred in both treatment groups (including placebo). The GnRH agonist treatment showed significant elevation of beta-endorphin levels and suppression of gonadotropin concentrations compared to placebo, but did not reduce PMS symptoms more than saline.
What it means for you
The medication did not work better than placebo injections. The study was very small (12 women) and selected by specific criteria. Despite producing the expected hormone changes, the treatment did not improve symptoms more than placebo, suggesting a strong placebo effect or that hormone suppression alone doesn't treat severe PMS.
12
women with severe PMS
7.5 mg
leuprolide dose per injection
every 30 days
injection frequency
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome and related hormonal changes. Long-acting gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist treatment
- Authors
- Helvacioglu A, Yeoman RR, Hazelton JM et al.
- Journal
- The Journal of reproductive medicine
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 12
- What was tested
- Depot leuprolide acetate 7.5 mg injection every 30 days versus saline
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8277482/
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2024
What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?
Systematic review, 2023
What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy?
Guideline, 2023
How are GnRH agonists used to treat PMDD that doesn't respond to standard medications?
Review, 2022
What causes severe PMS and what treatments work?
Systematic review, 2022
What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?
Review, 2018
What are the most effective treatments for premenstrual syndrome and PMDD?