Randomised trial, 2020
Do micronutrient supplements work better than vitamin B6 for PMS?
Both micronutrient supplements and vitamin B6 reduced PMS symptoms equally well. For very severe PMS (PMDD), micronutrients may work better than B6.
What they did
Randomized double-blind trial. 72 women with PMS took either a broad-spectrum micronutrient formula or 80 mg/day of vitamin B6 daily for 3 menstrual cycles after a 2-cycle baseline.
What they found
Both treatments reduced PMS symptoms with medium effect sizes. After 3 cycles, 72% of the micronutrient group and 60% of the B6 group had no PMS symptoms. For the 28 women with severe PMS (PMDD), micronutrients had larger effect sizes than B6.
What it means for you
Both supplements work, so either could be reasonable. If your PMS is severe (PMDD), micronutrients might help more. This was a relatively small study, so larger studies are needed.
80 mg/day
Vitamin B6 dose
3 cycles
Treatment duration
72%
Remission (micronutrients)
About the study
- Original title
- A Pilot Randomized Treatment-Controlled Trial Comparing Vitamin B6 with Broad-Spectrum Micronutrients for Premenstrual Syndrome
- Authors
- Retallick-Brown H, Blampied N, Rucklidge JJ
- Journal
- Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)
- Year
- 2020
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 28
- What was tested
- Broad-spectrum micronutrient formula or vitamin B6 (80 mg/day)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1089/acm.2019.0305
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2013
Does Vitex (chaste tree) help PMS and PMDD symptoms?
Review, 2011
What are PMS and PMDD, and how common are they?
Survey study, 2026
What are the causes, diagnosis, and treatments for PMS and PMDD?
Randomised trial, 2006
Does vitamin B6 treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
Review, 1991
What treatments are available for late luteal phase dysphoric disorder?
Cohort study, 2026
What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms?