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Case report, 2023

Does a combination of maca, progesterone, and magnesium help PMDD symptoms?

One woman improved significantly in headaches, cramping, menstrual flow, and psychiatric symptoms within three months. This is one person's experience, so we can't be sure others would benefit.

Early or limited evidence One woman with PMDD

What they did

Doctors followed one woman who was using maca (a plant supplement), bioidentical progesterone, and magnesium to treat PMDD symptoms. They tracked her symptoms and hormone levels over several months.

What they found

Within three months, her premenstrual headaches, cramping, menstrual flow, and psychiatric symptoms improved. Within four months, her hormone levels (LH) normalized. When she stopped the progesterone and continued with just maca, magnesium, and B-complex, the improvements lasted for another three months.

What it means for you

This is one woman's experience. The combination showed promise for treating PMDD, but we need studies with more women to know which parts actually help most and whether it works for others.

three months

time to symptom improvement

four months

time to hormone level normalization

three months

duration of improvement maintenance

About the study

Original title
An Integrative Approach for Improving and Managing Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): A Case Report
Authors
Mona Fahoum, Kim Ross, DCN
Journal
Current Research in Complementary & Alternative Medicine
Year
2023
Study design
Case report
What was tested
Lepidium peruvianum (maca), bioidentical progesterone therapy, and magnesium supplementation
Open access
Yes
Original abstract

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) describes symptoms a woman experiences in the luteal phase of menstruation, including physical, emotional, and/or behavioral changes ranging from mild to severe.Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) shares defining emotional and behavioral attributes with PMS, though it is the most severe form classified as a depressive disorder.Women are increasingly interested in seeking natural or alternative therapies to address these conditions.The purpose of this case report is to share the experience of one woman who had improvements in premenstrual headaches, menstrual cramping and flow, and intense psychiatric symptoms associated with a diagnosis of PMDD within three months of using Lepidium peruvianum (maca), bio-identical progesterone therapy, and magnesium supplementation.Within four months, normalization of LH levels was achieved.Further, upon reducing or resolving symptoms, she continued to maintain this improvement for three months on Lepidium peruvianum, magnesium, and a B-complex.This case also provides clinical utility for personalized care utilizing a combination of natural therapies alongside bioidentical hormone therapy.

Reproduced under CC-BY-SA.

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