---
title: Does lowering prolactin with bromocriptine help premenstrual tension?
description: Yes, bromocriptine significantly improved most symptoms and reduced premenstrual weight gain and breast enlargement.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/prolactin-suppression-in-the-treatment-of-premenstrual-syndrome-1978/
---

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- Does lowering prolactin with bromocriptine help premenstrual tension?

Randomised trial, 1978

# Does lowering prolactin with bromocriptine help premenstrual tension?

Yes, bromocriptine significantly improved most symptoms and reduced premenstrual weight gain and breast enlargement.

 Early or limited evidence

8 women with premenstrual tension

## What they did

Eight women with premenstrual tension participated in a five-month double-blind crossover trial of bromocriptine 5 mg per day given during the luteal phase. Weight and breast enlargement were measured.

## What they found

Significant improvement in most symptoms occurred during active bromocriptine therapy compared to placebo, together with objective evidence of decreased premenstrual weight gain and breast enlargement.

## What it means for you

Bromocriptine helped improve most PMS symptoms and reduced physical measures like weight gain and breast enlargement. However, the sample is very small with only 8 women, so results should be interpreted cautiously. We cannot tell if the benefit comes from lowering prolactin or a direct drug effect.

8

women in study

5 mg

bromocriptine dose per day

5

months duration of trial

## About the study

Original title Prolactin suppression in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome Authors Graham JJ, Harding PE, Wise PH et al. Journal The Medical journal of Australia Year 1978 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Bromocriptine 5 mg per day during luteal phase Read the paper [doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1978.tb77381.x](https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1978.tb77381.x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)

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