--- title: Do drugs that block prostaglandins help PMS? | Niyora description: This paper proposes that prostaglandin-blocking drugs might help PMS based on a theory, but it does not present results from a clinical trial. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-use-of-prostaglandin-inhibitors-for-the-premenstrual-syndrome-1983/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do drugs that block prostaglandins help PMS? Non-randomised trial, 1983 # Do drugs that block prostaglandins help PMS? This paper proposes that prostaglandin-blocking drugs might help PMS based on a theory, but it does not present results from a clinical trial. Early or limited evidence This is a review article, not a study of specific women ## What they did Review article proposing a theory that PMS is caused by too much of a hormone-like substance called prostaglandin produced in the brain, breast, gut, kidneys and reproductive tract. The authors suggest a stepped treatment approach. ## What they found The authors propose that avoiding xanthine-containing foods (coffee, tea, cola and chocolate) and restricting salt during the luteal phase might reduce nervousness, irritability and breast tenderness. For the 20-25% of women who need more help, a prostaglandin inhibitor or natural progesterone given when PMS begins might bring relief. In women with depressive PMS, small daily doses of antidepressant may help. ## What it means for you This is a theoretical proposal for how PMS might work and how to treat it, not evidence from a trial showing these treatments work. Actual clinical trial evidence is needed. 20-25% of PMS women estimated to need medication 7-10 days before menses when PMS typically occurs 24 hours after menses onset when PMS typically stops ## About the study Original title The use of prostaglandin inhibitors for the premenstrual syndrome Authors Budoff PW Journal The Journal of reproductive medicine Year 1983 Study design Non-randomised trial What was tested Proposed treatments: diet changes, prostaglandin inhibitors, natural progesterone, antidepressants Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6350580/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6350580/) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Fatigue and energy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-fatigue/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/) 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 Survey study, 1982 How common are premenstrual symptoms in American women, and what factors affect them? Randomised trial, 2021 Does hypnotherapy reduce pain and emotional distress in women with PMDD? Randomised trial, 2018 Does swimming reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms? Survey study, 2016 Do hormonal contraceptives reduce PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2025 Can a plant-based supplement reduce PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2002 How common is premenstrual dysphoric disorder among women in Morocco? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗