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Review, 1991

Does progesterone or stopping your period treat PMS?

Progesterone doesn't work better than placebo. Stopping your period with surgery or medication does treat PMS. Symptoms don't return when hormones are added back afterward.

Moderate study design Review of research across multiple studies

What they did

Review of recent research on PMS, examining progesterone treatment, ways to eliminate the menstrual cycle, and hormone replacement approaches.

What they found

A large, well-designed study found progesterone supplementation was no better than placebo. Stopping menstrual cyclicity through surgery or medication effectively treats PMS. Adding sex steroids afterward did not cause PMS symptoms to return.

What it means for you

Stopping your period works for PMS, but progesterone pills alone don't. The cause of PMS remains unclear but may involve hormones, nutrition, and the adrenal gland.

About the study

Original title
The premenstrual syndrome
Authors
Muse K
Journal
Current opinion in obstetrics & gynecology
Year
1991
Study design
Review
What was tested
Progesterone supplementation, surgical or medical elimination of menstrual cycle

Topics