Systematic review, 2006
Does progesterone help treat premenstrual syndrome?
We can't be sure. While women taking progesterone improved more than those on placebo in some measures, the results were inconsistent, and only two small trials with different methods were included.
What they did
Systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Researchers found 2 trials involving 280 women aged 18-45 with PMS, though only 115 women had results that could be analysed. The trials used different progesterone doses and different ways to deliver them (oral, vaginal), making them hard to compare.
What they found
In one way of analysing the data, women taking progesterone improved more than those on placebo, and this was statistically significant. However, when looking at all women who started the study (intention-to-treat analysis), the difference wasn't statistically significant except in the first cycle. One smaller crossover study found no significant difference between oral progesterone, vaginal progesterone, and placebo. Side effects were generally mild.
What it means for you
There isn't enough good evidence to say if progesterone works for PMS. Only two small studies exist, and they used different methods so they can't be properly combined. This is a major limitation.
2
Trials included in review
280
Total women enrolled
115
Women with analysable results
About the study
- Original title
- Progesterone for Premenstrual Syndrome
- Authors
- Ford O, Lethaby A, Mol B et al.
- Journal
- The Cochrane database of systematic reviews
- Year
- 2006
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- Progesterone (various doses and delivery methods) vs placebo
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd003415.pub2
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2023
What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy?
Survey study, 2022
What causes PMS and PMDD and what new treatments are being studied?
Systematic review, 2015
What are the effects of continuous hormonal treatments for premenstrual syndrome?
Review, 2012
How should premenstrual disorders be diagnosed and organized?
Review, 2012
How is PMS diagnosed and treated, especially in women approaching menopause?
Randomised trial, 2012
Do hysterectomy or hormonal IUDs reduce premenstrual symptoms in women with heavy periods?