Cyclical or continuous treatment of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) with bromocriptine.

Two hundred and sixty-eight women suffering from premenstrual symptoms, particularly breast symptoms, were treated with bromocriptine (Parlodel) continuously (1.25 mg twice daily) or cyclically (1.25 mg once daily from cycle day 11 to 13, and 1.25 mg twice daily from cycle day 14 until menstruation) for three cycles. The treatment was most effective in relieving breast symptoms, and cyclical treatment was more effective than continuous treatment with regard to swelling and pain of the breasts. Side-effects considered to be caused by bromocriptine occurred in 43% of the patients, and 21% interrupted the treatment. As regards the frequency of side-effects, no differences were observed between continuous and cyclical treatment. Thus, the continuous treatment schedule did not prove superior to the commonly used cyclical schedule. Seventy percent of the patients considered the bromocriptine treatment good or fairly good for the relief of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS).