Elimination of ovulation and menstrual cyclicity (with danazol) improves dysphoric premenstrual syndromes.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether the therapeutic effect of danazol on premenstrual syndromes (PMS) is associated with suppression of ovulation.


METHODS
After 1 month on placebo, we administered 200 mg/d of danazol for 90 days to 24 women with dysphoric PMS. Symptoms during ovulatory cycles were compared with anovulatory periods.


METHODS
Outpatient PMS program in a general hospital.


METHODS
Twenty-four women who had dysphoric PMS and otherwise were physically and mentally healthy.


METHODS
None (except the oral medication).


METHODS
Prospective daily monitoring of symptoms with the Daily Rating Form, before, during, and after treatment.


RESULTS
Twenty of 23 anovulatory periods were symptom-free versus 6 of 32 ovulatory periods (chi 2 = 15.63, P = 0.0002).


CONCLUSIONS
The beneficial effect of danazol as treatment depends mostly on achieving an an-ovulatory state and elimination of hormonal cyclicity and not on the drug per se.
Halbreich
U
U
Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo 14215.
Rojansky
N
N
Palter
S
S
D000328:Adult; D003613:Danazol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D003613:Danazol