The treatment of premenstrual tension with dydrogesterone (‘Duphaston’)

Summary

A preliminary study was carried out in 50 women, suffering from a multiplicity of premenstrual symptoms, who had lower than normal luteal phase progesterone levels. Dydrogesterone (10 mg b.d.) was given from the 12th to the 26th day of the menstrual cycle and at the time of reporting all patients had completed at least 2 cycles on medication. Over 70% of the women considered that there had been either a cure or marked overall improvement of their discomfort. The symptoms almost universally cured were those relating to fluid retention, mental symptoms were greatly although not always relieved, but breast discomfort was rarely relieved. No side-effects were reported. A single-blind, placebo-controlled study is planned to investigate further the effectiveness of dydrogesterone in this syndrome.

Key Words::

• Premenstrual tension
• dydrogesterone
• progesterone