Randomised trial, 1991
Does spironolactone help PMS symptoms?
Overall no. Spironolactone showed no significant improvement compared to placebo. However, some women with specific hormone patterns may respond.
What they did
Double blind placebo-controlled randomized crossover study. Women self-assessed somatic and neuropsychiatric symptoms daily for 14 days prior to menstruation. Hormone levels were also measured.
What they found
No significant difference in symptoms on or off spironolactone. Estradiol, progesterone, and prolactin levels showed no changes from follicular to luteal phase. In women who did respond to spironolactone, there was a significant difference in androgen levels from follicular to luteal phase before treatment.
What it means for you
Spironolactone did not help PMS symptoms on average, but may help women with specific androgen patterns. The study did not report the total number of participants, making it difficult to judge the strength of evidence.
14
days tracked prior to menstruation
3
hormones measured
2
cycle phases compared
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome and spironolactone
- Authors
- Burnet RB, Radden HS, Easterbrook EG et al.
- Journal
- The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology
- Year
- 1991
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Spironolactone
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-828x.1991.tb02824.x
Topics
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