Premenstrual Syndrome - Medications

Commonly reported side effects (which can be severe in some women) include menopausal-like symptoms that include hot flashes, night sweat, and changes in the vagina, weight change, and depression. The side effects vary in intensity depending on the GnRH agonist. They may be more intense with leuprolide and persist after the drug has been stopped.

The most important concern is possible osteoporosis from estrogen loss. Women ordinarily should not take them for more than six months. Certain approaches may preserve enough estrogen to protect bones and still effectively relieve endometriosis symptoms:

Click the icon to see an image of osteoporosis.

Add-back therapy, which provides doses of estrogen and progestin that are high enough to maintain bone density, but are too low to offset the beneficial effects of the GnRH agonist.
Intermittent leuprolide, which uses repeated six-month courses of GnRH agonists followed by an average of nine months of symptom control only.
Taking GnRH agonists in very low doses is an alternate approach, but is still largely untested.
Adding a bone-protective agent called a bisphosphonate (alendronate or etidronate) may also be helpful.
Other drugs are being tested in combination with a GnRH agonist to preserve bone. They include parathyroid hormone or tibolone (available in Europe). Tibolone is known as a selective estrogen-receptor modulator (SERM), which means it has some, but not all, effects of estrogen.

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Danazol. Danazol (Danocrine) is a synthetic substance that resembles male hormones and should be used only if other therapies fail. It suppresses estrogen and menstruation and is used in low doses for severe PMS. It is particularly useful for premenstrual migraines. Taking it only during the luteal phase relieves cyclical mastalgia (severe breast pain) and avoids major side effects, but this intermittent regimen has no effect on other PMS symptoms.

Adverse side effects from continuous use of Danazol can be severe. They include facial hair growth, deepening of the voice, weight gain, acne, and dandruff. Danazol also increases the risk for unhealthy cholesterol levels. A few cases of blood clots and strokes have been reported. Pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant should not take this drug, because it may cause birth defects.

Diuretics for Fluid Retention

Diuretics aredrugs that increase urination and help eliminate water and sodium from the body.They reduce bloating in women with PMS and also have a beneficial effect on mood, breast tenderness, and food craving. Diuretics can have considerable side effects and should not be used for mild or moderate PMS symptoms.

Spironolactone (Aldactone) is most commonly used for PMS. Other common diuretics include hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, HydroDiuril) and furosemide (Lasix). Unless potassium is replaced, many diuretics deplete the body's supply of potassium, possibly leading to heart rhythm disturbances. Spironolactone, however, is known as a potassium-sparing drug and does not have this problem. (Of note, women should be sure not to take additional potassium if they chose spironolactone.) Diuretics interact with a number of drugs, including certain antidepressants. Women who are candidates for diuretics should let their doctors know of any drugs or supplements that they are taking.