Randomised trial, 2014
Which supplement works best for PMS - vitamin E, vitamin B6, calcium, or omega-3?
All four supplements and placebo reduced symptom severity over 3 months. The study does not specify which was most effective.
What they did
Double-blind randomized trial. 200 women with moderate-to-severe PMS were divided into 5 groups: calcium, vitamin E, omega-3, vitamin B6, and placebo. They took their supplements for 3 months and tracked symptom changes.
What they found
All groups, including placebo, showed reduced PMS symptoms in physical, mental, and combined categories. The abstract does not state which supplement worked best or provide specific numbers for individual groups.
What it means for you
Vitamin E, B6, calcium and omega-3 may all help reduce PMS. However, because placebo also helped, it's unclear how much benefit came from the supplements themselves versus placebo effect or natural improvement. The study does not directly compare the supplements to each other.
200
Total participants
5
Groups tested
3 months
Treatment duration
About the study
- Original title
- Comparison of the Effect of Vit E, VitB6, Calcium and Omega-3 on the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome: A Clinical Randomized Trial
- Authors
- Mandana Zafari
- Journal
- Annual Research & Review in Biology
- Year
- 2014
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Five groups: 1g calcium, 100mg vitamin E, 1g fish oil, 40mg vitamin B6, or placebo daily for 3 months
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.9734/arrb/2014/7503
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2003
What complementary and alternative medicines help with women's reproductive health issues?
Review, 2026
Can diet and nutrition help reduce PMS symptoms?
Non-randomised trial, 2020
What treatments help premenstrual syndrome?
Review, 2025
Does nutrition affect PMS and menstrual cycle regularity?
Systematic review, 2025
Do nutritional interventions help with emotional symptoms of PMS?
Review, 2011
What are PMS and PMDD, and how common are they?