Study, 1980
Does lithium carbonate help women with severe premenstrual tension?
Lithium did not reduce physical symptoms and did not work for most women's behavioral symptoms. Measurement tools showed improvement, but this benefit had no real practical value, and side effects were common.
What they did
15 women with severe premenstrual tension took lithium carbonate (600-900 mg per day) continuously for three menstrual cycles. Doctors tracked their symptoms using rating scales.
What they found
Lithium did not affect physical premenstrual symptoms. It was ineffective for behavioral symptoms in most women. Measurement tools showed improvement, but this benefit had no real practical value. Side effects were common despite the relatively low dose. Three women who had a mood disorder (cyclothymic disorder) and responded best to lithium wanted to continue beyond 3 months.
What it means for you
Lithium is not recommended for typical premenstrual tension. It may only help a very small group of women who also have an underlying mood disorder. The main limitations are the small group (15 women) and the short trial (3 cycles).
15
women
600-900 mg/day
lithium dose
3 cycles
treatment duration
About the study
- Original title
- Treatment of premenstrual tension with lithium carbonate. A pilot study
- Authors
- Steiner M, Haskett RF, Osmun JN et al.
- Journal
- Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica
- Year
- 1980
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 15
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1980.tb00569.x
Topics
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