---
title: Does L-tryptophan help premenstrual dysphoria? | Niyora
description: L-tryptophan reduced premenstrual mood symptoms (dysphoria, mood swings, tension, irritability) by 34.5% compared to 10.4% with placebo.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-placebo-controlled-clinical-trial-of-l-tryptophan-in-premenstrual-dysphoria-1999/
---

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- Does L-tryptophan help premenstrual dysphoria?

Randomised trial, 1999

# Does L-tryptophan help premenstrual dysphoria?

L-tryptophan reduced premenstrual mood symptoms (dysphoria, mood swings, tension, irritability) by 34.5% compared to 10.4% with placebo.

 Moderate study design

37 women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder receiving L-tryptophan, 34 receiving placebo

## What they did

37 women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder took L-tryptophan 6 g per day and 34 took placebo. Treatment was given for 17 days starting from ovulation to the 3rd day of menstruation, over 3 consecutive menstrual cycles. They rated mood symptoms on visual scales.

## What they found

L-tryptophan reduced mood symptoms comprising dysphoria, mood swings, tension, and irritability more than placebo. The reduction from baseline in maximum luteal phase mood scores was 34.5% with L-tryptophan compared to 10.4% with placebo.

## What it means for you

L-tryptophan may help premenstrual mood symptoms, possibly by increasing serotonin production in the second half of the menstrual cycle. This is a small study and larger trials are needed to confirm effectiveness.

37

Women in L-tryptophan group

34

Women in placebo group

34.5% vs 10.4%

Mood symptom improvement

## About the study

Original title A placebo-controlled clinical trial of L-tryptophan in premenstrual dysphoria Authors Steinberg S, Annable L, Young SN et al. Journal Biological psychiatry Year 1999 Study design Randomised trial Participants 37 What was tested L-tryptophan 6 g per day given from ovulation to day 3 of menstruation for 3 cycles Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0006-3223(98)00005-5](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0006-3223(98)00005-5)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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