Randomised trial, 2017
Does zinc sulfate help premenstrual syndrome symptoms and quality of life?
Yes. Zinc sulfate significantly reduced severe PMS over 3 months and improved quality of life, though quality of life benefits took the full 3 months to become statistically significant.
What they did
A double-blind randomized controlled trial with 142 women aged 20-35 with PMS from June 2013 to May 2014. Women received either zinc sulfate 220 mg (containing 50 mg elemental zinc) or placebo taken from day 16 of the menstrual cycle to day 2 of the next cycle. Symptoms and quality of life were measured using standard questionnaires.
What they found
In the zinc group, moderate to severe PMS decreased from 9.5% in the first month to 2.6% in the third month (P < 0.001). In the placebo group, it decreased slightly from 14.2% to 13.5% (P = 0.08, not statistically significant). Zinc improved symptom scores throughout the study, and quality of life improved significantly at 3 months.
What it means for you
Zinc sulfate may help reduce PMS symptoms and improve quality of life. It is simple and inexpensive. However, the study lasted only 3 months and larger or longer studies are needed to confirm these findings.
142
women studied
50
mg elemental zinc per dose
2.6%
severe PMS at month 3 in zinc group
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of zinc sulfate supplementation on premenstrual syndrome and health-related quality of life: Clinical randomized controlled trial
- Authors
- Siahbazi S, Behboudi-Gandevani S, Moghaddam-Banaem L et al.
- Journal
- The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
- Year
- 2017
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 142
- What was tested
- Zinc sulfate 220 mg (50 mg elemental zinc) from day 16 to day 2 of next cycle
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/jog.13299
Topics
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