---
title: Is chamomile as effective as mefenamic acid for breast pain associated with PMS?
description: Yes. Chamomile appeared to be similarly effective as mefenamic acid (a standard pain medicine) at reducing the intensity of breast pain associated with PMS.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/comparison-of-the-effects-of-matricaria-chamomila-chamomile-extract-and-2014-d935fe/
---

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- Is chamomile as effective as mefenamic acid for breast pain associated with PMS?

Randomised trial, 2014

# Is chamomile as effective as mefenamic acid for breast pain associated with PMS?

Yes. Chamomile appeared to be similarly effective as mefenamic acid (a standard pain medicine) at reducing the intensity of breast pain associated with PMS.

 Moderate study design

90 dormitory students in Iran with breast pain associated with PMS

## What they did

Double-blind randomized trial from September 2011 to March 2012 with 90 dormitory students in Iran. Two groups of 45 received either chamomile capsules (100 mg) or mefenamic acid (250 mg) three times daily from day 21 of the menstrual cycle until the next menstruation.

## What they found

Both groups showed a significant decrease in breast pain intensity. There was no significant difference between the chamomile and mefenamic acid groups.

## What it means for you

Chamomile may work as well as a standard medicine for breast pain in PMS. The study only included dormitory students in one region of Iran, so it's unclear if results apply to other populations.

90

Students in study

100 mg

Chamomile dose

250 mg

Mefenamic acid dose

## About the study

Original title Comparison of the Effects of Matricaria chamomila (Chamomile) Extract and Mefenamic Acid on the Intensity of Mastalgia Associated With Premenstrual Syndrome Authors Farangis Sharifi, Masoumeh Simbar, Faraz Mojab et al. Journal Women’s Health Bulletin Year 2014 Study design Randomised trial Participants 90 What was tested Chamomile capsules (100 mg) or mefenamic acid (250 mg) three times daily from day 21 of cycle until next menstruation Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.17795/whb-20042](https://doi.org/10.17795/whb-20042)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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