Randomised trial, 2010
Does toremifene reduce breast pain by changing hormone levels?
Toremifene helped breast pain, but it didn't change the hormone levels tested, so how it works remains unclear.
What they did
48 women took toremifene or placebo during the second half of their menstrual cycle in a crossover trial where they tried both. Blood samples were taken three times: at the start, during the third toremifene cycle, and during the third placebo cycle.
What they found
Inhibin A levels were 42 pg/ml with toremifene, 38 with placebo, and 40 at baseline (p=0.638 toremifene versus baseline). Inhibin B levels were 19 ng/l at baseline, 20 with placebo, and 17 with toremifene (p=0.983 toremifene versus baseline). No significant difference was found in either hormone.
What it means for you
Toremifene reduces breast pain but not through inhibin A or B levels. We do not know how it works. Limitation: Only 48 women and only two hormone levels were measured. The mechanism needs further study.
48
women with premenstrual breast pain
42
inhibin A level (pg/ml) with toremifene
17
inhibin B level (ng/l) with toremifene
About the study
- Original title
- Toremifene use does not alter serum inhibin A and B levels during mid-luteal phase in women with premenstrual mastalgia
- Authors
- Oksa S, Luukkaala T, Mäenpää JU
- Journal
- Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology
- Year
- 2010
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Toremifene 20 mg per day during the luteal phase versus placebo
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/09513590903215441
Topics
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