DOUBLE-BLIND RANDOMIZED CROSSOVER TRIAL OF LUTEAL PHASE ESTROGENS (PREMARIN) IN THE PREMENSTRUAL-SYNDROME (PMS)

Eleven patients with moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome were given Premarin(R) during the latter half of the menstrual cycle for at least two cycles, and a placebo for at least two cycles. Mental and physical symptoms were monitored daily with a self-rating scale. Premarin(R) was significantly less effective than placebo in relieving the severity of both mental (p < 0.02) and physical (p < 0.02) symptoms of PMS (combined data p < 0.01). It is concluded that luteal phase Premarin(R) is ineffective as a treatment for PMS, and may actually aggravate the symptoms.