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The treatment of premenstrual tension with mefenamic acid: analysis of prostaglandin concentrations
Author(s) -
JAKUBOWICZ DIANA L.,
GODARD EZAT,
DEWHURST JOHN
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1984.tb05283.x
Subject(s) - mefenamic acid , crossover study , placebo , prostaglandin , menstrual cycle , medicine , premenstrual tension , menstrual period , menstruation , endocrinology , pharmacology , physiology , hormone , alternative medicine , pathology
Summary. Eighty patients with premenstrual tension were treated prospectively with mefenamic acid for a mean period of 13 months. Most of them (86%) reported significant relief of premenstrual tension. Symptoms of dysfunctional menorrhagia or primary dysmenorrhoea were also alleviated. In 19 patients, the plasma concentrations of prostaglandin (PG) E 2 , PGF 2α and 13,14‐dihydro‐15‐keto‐prostaglandin F 2α (PGFM) were measured at intervals throughout three menstrual cycles. During the first cycle the patients received no treatment; in the subsequent two cycles they received either mefenamic acid or placebo in a randomized double‐blind crossover manner. Similar measurements were made in 22 matched control subjects. The plasma concentrations of PGE 2 , PGF 2α and PGFM were significantly lower in the 19 patients in all three menstrual cycles compared with the values in the control subjects. Excess synthesis of prostaglandins of the 1 series may occur in premenstrual tension and, by precursor depletion, result in decreased synthesis of the 2‐series prostaglandins.