Premenstrual tension: a placebo-controlled efficacy study with spironolactone and medroxyprogesterone acetate

Forty-three healthy women with a characteristic history of premenstrual tension participated in a placebo controlled, crossover study. The effects of spironolactone (Aldactone) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (Gestapuran) on ten symptoms of premenstrual tension were evaluated. Placebo tablets as well as spironolactone and medroxyprogesterone acetate significantly improved a mood index score (which is a generally accepted method to measure premenstrual symptoms). Spironolactone and medroxyprogesterone acetate were however both significantly (P less than 0.05) better than placebo in relieving the symptoms.