[Treatment of the premenstrual syndrome with a retroprogesterone (Duphaston)]

The symptomatology of the premenstrual syndrome is frequently seen in general and gynecological practice. The aim of this study was to examine the therapeutical effect of dydrogesterone (Duphaston) on the typical premenstrual complaints as depression, headache, edema, mastodynia, dysmenorrhea and bleeding irregularities. Oral administration of 20 mg dydrogesterone b.i.d. during the second half of the menstrual cycle could well relieve the complaints mentioned above. Best results of treatment were obtained in cases of dysmenorrhea, bleeding irregularities, depression and edema. In our patients mastodynia was not influenced by dydrogesterone-therapy. As shown by basal body temperature and progesterone in plasma the menstrual cycles remained ovulatory under therapy. The treatment with dydrogesterone was tolerated well in general, blood pressure and body weight were not altered significantly. The majority of patients wished to continue the treatment beyond the period of this study.