$Unique_ID{BRK02470}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Is Progesterone Good Medicine for PMS?}
$Subject{monthly progesterone medication premenstrual syndrome pms placebo ill
defined symptom symptoms genitourinary behavior behaviors medicine medicines
medications treatment treatments menstruate menstruation}
$Volume{N-14,R-22}
$Log{
The Menstrual Cycle*0009101.scf}

Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is Progesterone Good Medicine for PMS?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  I am one of those women who suffer each month from the problems
that come with my monthly.  I have tried most solutions, with only some help,
but never with the relief I would like.  One of my sisters claims the
medication she received from her doctor, progesterone, helps relieve her
symptoms.  Do you think that this may be the medicine for me?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  It may well be, if you think it is.  That is not a very scientific
answer but it accurately reflects the findings in a recent study of this
question.  Premenstrual syndrome (or PMS) consists of a wide variety of
symptoms that accompany the menstrual period in many women.  They include
nervous tension, irritability, mood swings, fatigue, depression, cramps,
breast tenderness and insomnia.  These symptoms may affect different women in
different ways and with differing intensity, and so the effect of any
medication becomes a very subjective study.  But when 168 women with PMS were
followed in a clinical trial of progesterone suppositories at the University
of Medicine School of Medicine, the results were a bit astonishing.  The women
taking the suppository with the active medication were no better off than
those taking a suppository with a placebo.  While that may not prove that
progesterone is ineffective, it does demonstrate that it does not provide more
relief than a placebo.  It may also explain why your sister obtained her
relief, and why I stated that it you believe it can help you, it may well do
so.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.