--- title: Does dydrogesterone work better than placebo for premenstrual symptoms? description: Women in the study improved on most measures, but dydrogesterone did not work better than placebo. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/treatment-of-premenstrual-syndrome-a-double-blind-trial-of-dydrogesterone-1986/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does dydrogesterone work better than placebo for premenstrual symptoms? Randomised trial, 1986 # Does dydrogesterone work better than placebo for premenstrual symptoms? Women in the study improved on most measures, but dydrogesterone did not work better than placebo. Moderate study design 30 women with PMS, 24 completed the study ## What they did 30 women with confirmed PMS participated. 24 completed a double-blind crossover trial lasting 4 months, in which they received either dydrogesterone or placebo in each of two treatment periods. Women were interviewed before and during treatment each month and completed several questionnaires about their mood, anxiety, and symptoms. ## What they found Both the dydrogesterone and placebo groups showed improvements for most symptoms, with the biggest improvements in the first 2 months. However, dydrogesterone was no more effective than placebo. ## What it means for you Women improved over time, but this improvement happened equally with placebo, so we cannot say dydrogesterone works. The study is small and had a high dropout rate, so the results are not very reliable. 30 women enrolled 24 women who completed 4 months study duration ## About the study Original title Treatment of premenstrual syndrome. A double-blind trial of dydrogesterone Authors Dennerstein L, Morse C, Gotts G et al. Journal Journal of affective disorders Year 1986 Study design Randomised trial Participants 30 What was tested Dydrogesterone or placebo Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(86)90070-4](https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(86)90070-4) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/) 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 Systematic review, 2023 What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy? Survey study, 2022 What causes PMS and PMDD and what new treatments are being studied? Systematic review, 2015 What are the effects of continuous hormonal treatments for premenstrual syndrome? Review, 2012 How should premenstrual disorders be diagnosed and organized? Review, 2012 How is PMS diagnosed and treated, especially in women approaching menopause? Randomised trial, 2012 Do hysterectomy or hormonal IUDs reduce premenstrual symptoms in women with heavy periods? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗