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.
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
Topics
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