--- title: Does curcumin help with PMS and period pain? | Niyora description: Curcumin reduced PMS symptoms and period pain about as well as placebo did, suggesting it may not be more effective than placebo. The study cannot tell us if url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-curcumin-on-menstrual-pattern-premenstrual-syndrome-and-dysmenorrhea-2021/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does curcumin help with PMS and period pain? Randomised trial, 2021 # Does curcumin help with PMS and period pain? Curcumin reduced PMS symptoms and period pain about as well as placebo did, suggesting it may not be more effective than placebo. The study cannot tell us if curcumin truly helps for sure. Moderate study design Young women with both PMS and period pain. ## What they did A trial where 62 women took curcumin capsules and 62 took placebo. Everyone took one capsule daily from a week before their period until 3 days after it for three months. ## What they found Both groups improved significantly. Curcumin reduced period pain by 64 percent and placebo by 53.3 percent. PMS symptom scores fell from 32.5 to 21.6 in the curcumin group and from 31.7 to 23.4 in the placebo group. ## What it means for you Curcumin works about the same as a placebo for PMS and period pain, so any benefit may just be from expecting it to work. The study was relatively small and lasted only three months. 64% period pain reduction with curcumin 53.3% period pain reduction with placebo 32.5 to 21.6 PMS symptom score change with curcumin ## About the study Original title Effects of curcumin on menstrual pattern, premenstrual syndrome, and dysmenorrhea: A triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial Authors Bahrami A, Zarban A, Rezapour H et al. Journal Phytotherapy research : PTR Year 2021 Study design Randomised trial Participants 62 What was tested Curcumin 500 mg daily from 7 days before menstruation to 3 days after for three menstrual cycles. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7314](https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7314) Original abstract Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and primary dysmenorrhea are common complaints among young women. This study evaluated the effects of curcumin supplements on symptoms of pain in young women with PMS and dysmenorrhea. A randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was undertaken. Women who suffered from both PMS and dysmenorrhea were enrolled, and were randomly allocated to the curcumin (n = 62), or placebo (n = 62) groups. Each subject received one capsule (500 mg of curcuminoid, or placebo) daily, from 7 days pre- until 3 days post-menstruation for three successive menstrual cycles. Participants recorded the severity of PMS, or dysmenorrhea using a Premenstrual Syndrome Screening Tool (PSST) and the visual analog scale, respectively. Baseline characteristics of participants did not differ between the curcumin and placebo groups. At the end of the trial, the PSST scores were significantly lower in both the curcumin (32.5 ± 9.8 vs. 21.6 ± 9.8); and placebo groups (31.7 ± 9.4 vs. 23.4 ± 12.8). There was a significant reduction of dysmenorrhea pain in both the curcumin and placebo groups (by 64% and 53.3%, respectively). Hence, curcumin had comparable effects as placebo, regarding the amelioration of symptoms of PMS and dysmenorrhea. Further studies are required with larger samples, using higher doses curcumin for longer durations, and perhaps in combination therapy. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Curcumin and turmeric](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-curcumin/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) 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 Cohort study, 2025 How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it? Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Randomised trial, 2024 Does curcumin-piperine combination improve antioxidant activity in women with PMS and period pain? Cohort study, 2024 Is there a link between sleep and menstrual problems in teenage girls? Randomised trial, 2022 Does curcumin with piperine reduce PMS symptoms by lowering inflammation? Survey study, 2026 Are menstrual characteristics linked to depression and anxiety in teenage girls? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗