Review, 1990
Does danazol, a synthetic steroid, relieve PMS symptoms?
In this small case study of 21 women, danazol relieved PMS symptoms in up to 85% of patients when combined with other treatment approaches. It worked best for women whose main symptom was breast pain.
What they did
Case series: the author treated 21 women with PMS using danazol (a synthetic steroid called Danocrine) plus non-medication treatment options
What they found
Danazol relieved PMS symptoms in up to 85% of the 21 patients. Women whose PMS was characterized mainly by breast pain (mastalgia) responded most favorably to treatment. Danazol is not recommended for women whose main symptoms are depression or anxiety.
What it means for you
Danazol appears to help many women with PMS, especially those with breast pain. However, this was a very small study with no comparison group, so it is not strong evidence.
21
women treated with danazol
up to 85%
showed symptom relief
approx 90%
of women experience some PMS
About the study
- Original title
- Role of danazol in relieving the premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Derzko CM
- Journal
- The Journal of reproductive medicine
- Year
- 1990
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Danazol (synthetic steroid) combined with non-medication approaches
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2404119/
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2007
What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?
Survey study, 2026
What are the causes, diagnosis, and treatments for PMS and PMDD?
Cohort study, 2016
How often do doctors diagnose PMS and what treatments do they prescribe?
Review, 1994
What medications work for PMS and are they safe?
Study, 2017
How is severe PMS (PMDD) diagnosed and what treatments do doctors recommend first?
Review, 1998
What treatments actually help with PMS?