---
title: Which women with PMS will respond to treatment and which to placebo?
description: Among 31 women claiming PMS, 21 had confirmed symptoms across multiple cycles and were less likely to respond to placebo. Placebo reduced mood symptoms signif
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-premenstrual-syndrome-selection-of-women-for-treatment-trials-1985/
---

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- Which women with PMS will respond to treatment and which to placebo?

Non-randomised trial, 1985

# Which women with PMS will respond to treatment and which to placebo?

Among 31 women claiming PMS, 21 had confirmed symptoms across multiple cycles and were less likely to respond to placebo. Placebo reduced mood symptoms significantly but had no clear effect on physical symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

31 women presenting with PMS

## What they did

31 women with reported PMS were interviewed about their symptoms, then tracked symptoms daily for six menstrual cycles. Some received placebo treatment.

## What they found

Diagnosis confirmed in 21 women (symptoms in 5 or more of 6 cycles), not substantiated in two (symptoms in 1 or fewer cycles), and uncertain in eight. Placebo significantly reduced mood-related symptoms but had no clear effect on physical symptoms. Women with symptoms present in 5 cycles were usually placebo-resistant.

## What it means for you

Placebo can help some PMS mood symptoms but women with persistent symptoms likely need real treatment. Main limitations are the small sample size of 31 and lack of a control group taking active medicine for comparison.

31

women studied

21

with confirmed PMS (5+ of 6 cycles)

6

menstrual cycles tracked

## About the study

Original title The premenstrual syndrome: selection of women for treatment trials Authors Metcalf MG, Hudson SM Journal Journal of psychosomatic research Year 1985 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 31 What was tested Placebo treatment Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(85)90072-8](https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(85)90072-8)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)

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Does PMDD or PMS affect quality of life?

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