Effect of spironolactone on premenstrual syndrome symptoms.

The premenstrual syndrome (PMS) has long been considered one in which fluid retention plays an important role. Detailed studies, however, have failed to reveal good evidence for this assumption, and investigations of weight change and of sodium and water balance have yielded contradictory results. Even so, a number of the etiologic theories and treatment regimens are based on this premise. Many of the endocrine theories depend on the endocrine effect on water balance to explain the mechanism, and the treatment often proposed involves salt and water restriction and the liberal use of diuretics. There is no justification for this advice except for a few well-conducted studies that showed the benefits of diuretic therapy. The evidence from these studies suggests that diuretics, especially spironolactone, have a particular role in the management of the PMS symptoms of bloatedness and abdominal distension despite the fact that the underlying water retention theory remains in doubt. An improvement in the various psychologic symptoms of PMS has also been reported.