Randomised trial, 1989
Does calcium help PMS?
Yes, likely. Seventy-three percent of women reported fewer symptoms during calcium treatment, and symptom scores dropped significantly during both the luteal and menstrual phases on calcium compared to placebo.
What they did
Randomized double-blind crossover trial. Seventy-eight women were screened and 33 completed the trial. Each woman received three months of daily calcium supplementation (1,000 mg) and three months of placebo in random order. Symptoms were tracked daily.
What they found
Calcium significantly reduced symptoms during the luteal phase (p=0.011) and menstrual phase (p=0.032). Seventy-three percent reported fewer symptoms on calcium, 15% preferred placebo, and 12% had no clear preference. Calcium specifically improved negative affect, water retention, and pain in the luteal phase, and pain during the menstrual phase.
What it means for you
Calcium is simple, affordable, and appears to work for PMS, especially for mood, bloating, and pain. The main limits are that only 33 women completed the study and more research is needed to understand how it works and the right dose.
1,000
Mg of calcium carbonate per day
73
Percentage reporting fewer symptoms on calcium
33
Women who completed the trial
About the study
- Original title
- Calcium supplementation in premenstrual syndrome: a randomized crossover trial
- Authors
- Thys-Jacobs S, Ceccarelli S, Bierman A et al.
- Journal
- Journal of general internal medicine
- Year
- 1989
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Calcium carbonate 1,000 mg per day for three months
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/bf02599520
Topics
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