The treatment of premenstrual tension with mefenamic acid: analysis of prostaglandin concentrations |
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| Authors: | DIANA L JAKUBOWICZ Lecturer EZAT GODARD Biochemist SIR JOHN DEWHURST Professor |
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| Institution: | Chairman and Head of Department, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of London and The Chelsea Hospital for Women, London |
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| Abstract: | 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) E2, PGF2α and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2α (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 PGE2, PGF2α 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. |
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