Ineffectiveness of progesterone suppository treatment for premenstrual syndrome

Article Abstract:

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a constellation of emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms that intensify prior to the onset of menstruation, reaching a level that interferes with a woman's normal functioning. Many of the approximately seven million women with PMS receive progesterone (a hormone), but the effectiveness of progesterone vaginal suppositories has not been evaluated in a large, randomized, controlled trial. To this end, 121 carefully screened women with PMS received both progesterone and an inert placebo in suppository form, according to a study design in which each woman used placebo and progesterone, each for two consecutive menstrual cycles. During the second cycle for each treatment, two suppositories were used, doubling the dose of progesterone. The suppositories were used between days 16 and 28 of a standard cycle. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated by daily symptom reports (DSRs) maintained by the subjects, in addition to several other clinical and patient-reported measures. The DSR included 17 symptoms associated with PMS. The average duration of PMS symptoms was 7.9 years, and 73 percent of the patients had a history of mental illness. No differences in DSR scores, or any other measure used, were found between the placebo and progesterone treatments. These results are consistent with those in other published reports, and the larger sample size further enhances their credibility. There appears to be insufficient therapeutic effect to justify use of progesterone vaginal suppositories for treating PMS. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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A double-blind trial of oral progesterone, alprazolam, and placebo in treatment of severe premenstrual syndrome

Article Abstract:

The drug alprazolam appears to be more effective than oral progesterone in reducing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. PMS symptoms include mood swings, irritability, mental confusion, depression, breast tenderness and cramps. In a three month treatment study, 170 women received either oral progesterone, alprazolam or placebo on the 18th day of the menstrual cycle extending to day two of the cycle. Thirty-seven percent of the women treated with alprazolam showed a 50% improvement in daily symptom reports. Alprazolam was most effective in improving pain, mood and mental functioning. Progesterone was no more effective than placebo in treating PMS.

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Alprazolam

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Symptomatic improvement of premenstrual dysphoric disorder with sertraline treatment: a randomized controlled trial

Article Abstract:

Sertraline appears to be effective in the treatment of the psychological component of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Many women with PMS become depressed, anxious and experience mood swings. Researchers randomly assigned 200 women with PMS to take the antidepressant drug sertraline or a placebo. Treatment began on the first day of menstruation and lasted for three menstrual cycles. The women were required to complete a form rating their symptoms every day. Sixty-two percent of the women taking sertraline reported a significant improvement compared to 34% of the placebo group.

Sertraline

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