--- title: Does mefenamic acid help relieve PMS symptoms? | Niyora description: Mefenamic acid relieved PMS symptoms in 70.7% of women, with the most improvement in headache and breast tenderness, but the study had no control group so we url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-of-mefenamic-acid-on-premenstrual-syndrome-in-reproductive-age-group-2023/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does mefenamic acid help relieve PMS symptoms? Non-randomised trial, 2023 # Does mefenamic acid help relieve PMS symptoms? Mefenamic acid relieved PMS symptoms in 70.7% of women, with the most improvement in headache and breast tenderness, but the study had no control group so we cannot be certain the drug itself caused the improvement. Early or limited evidence 75 women with PMS in reproductive age, mean age 26.03 years ## What they did 75 women with PMS received mefenamic acid for at least 3 months and were followed for a minimum of 3 months. Researchers assessed symptoms before and after treatment to determine if mefenamic acid was effective. ## What they found The most common PMS symptoms were gastrointestinal disturbance (85.3%), nausea (84%), headache (80%), breast tenderness (77.3%), and vomiting (74.7%). Mefenamic acid was effective in relieving symptoms in 70.7% of women. Headache, dysmenorrhea, breast tenderness, and mood irritability improved significantly (p less than or equal to 0.05). ## What it means for you Mefenamic acid may help reduce PMS symptoms, especially headache and breast tenderness. The study had no control group of women who did not receive the drug, so we cannot prove the drug caused the improvement. The study was also small with only 75 women and only measured whether women said they improved, not objective health measurements. 70.7% experienced symptom relief 85.3% had gastrointestinal disturbance 80% had headache ## About the study Original title Effect of Mefenamic Acid on Premenstrual Syndrome in Reproductive age Group Authors Afshan Zaman, Muneeba Sadaf, Maria Tariq et al. Journal Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Year 2023 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 75 What was tested Mefenamic acid for at least 3 months Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs2023176194](https://doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs2023176194) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/) 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 Randomised trial, 2014 Does the combination of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium reduce menstrual symptoms and migraine? Survey study, 2023 Does PMS affect school performance and relationships in female medical students? Cohort study, 2006 How should severe period pain in teenagers be treated? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Survey study, 2011 How do premenstrual symptoms change as women age, and what factors influence them? Randomised trial, 2011 Does sumatriptan-naproxen help women with period migraines and period pain function better? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗