---
title: Does progesterone reduce premenstrual symptoms? | Niyora
description: Progesterone treatment improved symptoms, but placebo improved them equally, so we cannot say progesterone works better than placebo.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/progesterone-treatment-of-premenstrual-tension-a-double-blind-study-1985/
---

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- Does progesterone reduce premenstrual symptoms?

Non-randomised trial, 1985

# Does progesterone reduce premenstrual symptoms?

Progesterone treatment improved symptoms, but placebo improved them equally, so we cannot say progesterone works better than placebo.

 Early or limited evidence

15 women with moderate to severe premenstrual symptoms

## What they did

15 women with moderate to severe PMS received either 100 mg progesterone twice daily in vaginal pessaries or placebo in a double-blind study.

## What they found

Both the progesterone group and the placebo group showed statistically significant improvements in symptom scores. There was no significant difference between the two groups.

## What it means for you

The symptom improvement may be from the placebo effect rather than progesterone itself. This study suggests progesterone may not be effective for PMS. Only 15 women were studied, so larger studies would help confirm this finding.

15 women

study participants

100 mg, 2x daily

progesterone dose

## About the study

Original title Progesterone treatment of premenstrual tension--a double blind study Authors Andersch B, Hahn L Journal Journal of psychosomatic research Year 1985 Study design Non-randomised trial What was tested 100 mg progesterone twice daily in vaginal pessaries versus placebo Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(85)90082-0](https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(85)90082-0)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Systematic review, 2008

What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2020

Does progesterone therapy help premenstrual syndrome in women with PCOS?

Randomised trial, 2013

Does progesterone reduce PMS symptoms in women with polycystic ovary syndrome?

Randomised trial, 2006

Do women with a history of PMS react differently to hormone therapy after menopause?

Review, 1999

Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder a distinct clinical disorder?

Randomised trial, 1999

Does the drop in progesterone or stress during the menstrual cycle cause chocolate and sweets cravings?

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