Survey study, 1991
Does the drug clobazam help with period-related mood and concentration problems?
This very small study (11 women) found a general tendency for clobazam to reduce some symptoms in the first half of the cycle, but symptoms seemed to worsen in the second half.
What they did
11 women took either clobazam (10 mg) or placebo twice on each testing day at four points in their menstrual cycle (days 7, 14, 21 and 26). They answered questions about mood, concentration and how their nervous system responded to flickering light.
What they found
Clobazam did not disrupt the normal menstrual cycle rhythm. It showed a general tendency to reduce symptom reports in the first half of the cycle, but a subsequent worsening of symptoms in the second half. It had no effect on concentration or behaviour changes.
What it means for you
This is too small a study to draw firm conclusions. The drug did not have a clear benefit and may even cause new problems in the second half of the cycle. Much larger studies with more women would be needed before using this drug for period-related mood problems.
11
women studied
10 mg
dose of clobazam
4
testing points per cycle
About the study
- Original title
- The effects of clobazam on critical flicker fusion threshold and symptomatology during the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Louise Dye, Ian Hindmarch
- Journal
- Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental
- Year
- 1991
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 11
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1002/hup.470060207