--- title: Does L-tryptophan help mood symptoms in premenstrual dysphoria? description: Yes. L-tryptophan taken during the luteal phase significantly reduced mood symptoms (low mood, mood swings, anxiety, irritability) compared to placebo. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-placebo-controlled-study-of-the-effects-of-l-tryptophan-in-patients-with-1999/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does L-tryptophan help mood symptoms in premenstrual dysphoria? Randomised trial, 1999 # Does L-tryptophan help mood symptoms in premenstrual dysphoria? Yes. L-tryptophan taken during the luteal phase significantly reduced mood symptoms (low mood, mood swings, anxiety, irritability) compared to placebo. Moderate study design 71 patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (37 with L-tryptophan, 34 with placebo) ## What they did Randomized controlled trial where 37 patients received L-tryptophan 6 g per day and 34 received placebo. Treatment was given for 17 days each cycle, from ovulation to the third day of menstruation, for 3 consecutive cycles. ## What they found L-tryptophan was significantly better than placebo for mood symptoms including dysphoria, mood swings, tension and irritability. The researchers suggest this works by increasing serotonin synthesis during the late luteal phase. ## What it means for you L-tryptophan may help mood-related premenstrual dysphoria by increasing the neurotransmitter serotonin. The trial did not test physical symptoms like bloating or pain. 37 patients given L-tryptophan 6 g daily L-tryptophan dose 3 menstrual cycles studied ## About the study Original title A placebo-controlled study of the effects of L-tryptophan in patients with premenstrual dysphoria Authors Steinberg S, Annable L, Young SN et al. Journal Advances in experimental medicine and biology Year 1999 Study design Randomised trial Participants 37 What was tested L-tryptophan 6 g per day during the luteal phase (from ovulation to third day of menstruation) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4709-9_11](https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4709-9_11) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/) 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. ## Related studies Cohort study, 2026 What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms? Systematic review, 2026 How often do mood disorders and PMS or PMDD occur together? Systematic review, 2026 Does vitamin D supplementation help PMS symptoms? Study, 2026 How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains? Systematic review, 2026 Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle? Systematic review, 2026 How much of PMDD treatment improvement comes from placebo effect? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗