---
title: Do hysterectomy or hormonal IUDs reduce premenstrual symptoms in women with heavy periods?
description: Both treatments significantly reduced premenstrual symptoms by 6 months with similar effectiveness. However, the study involved women treated for heavy period
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effect-of-hysterectomy-or-levonorgestrel-releasing-intrauterine-system-on-2012/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Do hysterectomy or hormonal IUDs reduce premenstrual symptoms in women with heavy periods?

Randomised trial, 2012

# Do hysterectomy or hormonal IUDs reduce premenstrual symptoms in women with heavy periods?

Both treatments significantly reduced premenstrual symptoms by 6 months with similar effectiveness. However, the study involved women treated for heavy periods, not those specifically diagnosed with PMS.

 Strong study design

236 women in Finland aged 35-49 with heavy periods

## What they did

Randomized controlled trial across five Finnish university hospitals. 236 women aged 35-49 with heavy periods were randomly assigned to hysterectomy (n=117) or levonorgestrel-releasing IUD (n=119). Symptom assessments occurred at 6 months, 12 months, and 5 years after treatment.

## What they found

Both groups showed significant symptom decreases by 6 months (p≤0.028). Breast tenderness decreased later in the IUD group, by 12 months (p=0.048). During follow-up, 42% of women assigned to the IUD had a hysterectomy. Results were similar whether analyzed by intention-to-treat or actual treatment received.

## What it means for you

Both treatments help reduce symptoms in women being treated for heavy periods. The study does not tell us whether they work for people specifically diagnosed with PMS. Results are limited to Finland, older women (mean age 43), and women with heavy periods.

236

women studied

6 months

until symptom improvement seen

42%

of IUD group had hysterectomy during follow-up

## About the study

Original title The effect of hysterectomy or levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system on premenstrual symptoms in women treated for menorrhagia: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial Authors Leminen H, Heliövaara-Peippo S, Halmesmäki K et al. Journal Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica Year 2012 Study design Randomised trial Participants 119 What was tested Hysterectomy versus levonorgestrel-releasing IUD Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0412.2011.01340.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0412.2011.01340.x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Surgical menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-surgery/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

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, 2007

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Review, 2012

Does stopping ovulation help premenstrual symptoms?

Case report, 2023

Can stopping ovulation help severe PMDD when other treatments do not work?

Review, 2012

What causes PMS and PMDD?

Review, 2012

How can doctors manage premenstrual-like symptoms caused by hormonal treatments containing progestogen?

Systematic review, 2023

What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗