Study, 1982
Can very small doses of progesterone clear premenstrual symptoms?
Yes. In women with PMS, 96% had symptoms completely or almost completely clear within 30 minutes when given a dose of progesterone determined by skin testing.
What they did
132 women with progesterone-related symptoms received very small doses of progesterone. Each woman's dose was first determined by skin testing. The study used a single-blind design where women did not know whether they were getting the treatment or placebo.
What they found
In women with PMS, 96% had symptoms completely or almost completely clear, usually within 30 minutes. Other conditions also improved: 100% with pregnancy nausea and vomiting, and 84% with painful periods.
What it means for you
Very small doses of progesterone determined by skin testing may clear premenstrual symptoms quickly in most women. The doses used were extremely small, ranging from 0.0016 mg or less up to a maximum of 2.5 mg. The study design helped rule out placebo effect.
96%
Women with PMS whose symptoms cleared
132
Women studied
30 minutes
Time to symptom clearing
About the study
- Original title
- Treatment of common gynecologic-endocrinologic symptoms by allergy management procedures
- Authors
- Mabray CR, Burditt ML, Martin TL et al.
- Journal
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Year
- 1982
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 132
- What was tested
- Skin-tested doses of progesterone.
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7200220/
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