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.
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
Topics
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