PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME: POSSIBILITIES OF NON-HORMONAL TREATMENT

Objective. To study the efficacy and tolerance of an extract from the plant Vitex agnus castus in the treatment of moderate and severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in reproductive-aged women. Subjects and methods. One hundred and twenty-one women with PMS were followed up for 6 months, during which the patients f illed out their health assessment diaries every day and also the tested psychological questionnaire thrice. They took agnucaston (cyclodynon) that contained 40 mg of the Vitex agnus castus extract as one tablet daily immediately after awakening during 3 menstrual cycles. Results. A significant improvement occurred in 67.8% of the patients (according to the diary entries) and in 59.3% of the women (according to the questionnaire data). A subjective improvement was reported by 86.4 and 96.2% of the women according to the data of their diaries and questionnaires, respectively. The side effects associated with the use of the drug were noted in 13 (10.7%) women. Serious adverse reactions occurred in none patient. Conclusion. Agnucaston is an effective and acceptable drug to treat PMS.

premenstrual syndrome, agnucaston