Randomised trial, 1987
Does vitamin E reduce PMS symptoms?
Yes, vitamin E significantly improved certain emotional and physical PMS symptoms compared to placebo. This was a moderate-sized randomized trial.
What they did
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Women with PMS took either 400 IU of vitamin E or placebo daily for 3 menstrual cycles and completed standardized PMS questionnaires before and after treatment.
What they found
Of the 46 women enrolled, 41 completed the study. Women treated with vitamin E showed significant improvement in certain emotional and physical symptoms compared to placebo.
What it means for you
Vitamin E may help certain PMS symptoms. The study does not specify which particular symptoms improved most or by how much, so larger studies would strengthen confidence in these results.
46
women enrolled
41
completed the trial
400 IU
daily dose
About the study
- Original title
- Efficacy of alpha-tocopherol in the treatment of the premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- London RS, Murphy L, Kitlowski KE et al.
- Journal
- The Journal of reproductive medicine
- Year
- 1987
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 46
- What was tested
- 400 IU vitamin E daily for 3 cycles
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3302248/
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2025
Do vitamin D and E supplements reduce menstrual pain and PMS symptoms?
Cohort study, 2021
Are low antioxidant vitamins or high oxidative stress linked to premenstrual syndrome?
Systematic review, 2009
Which herbs, vitamins and minerals help treat PMS?
Randomised trial, 2000
Which dietary supplements help PMS?
Study, 2024
Does a combination of evening primrose oil, tocotrienol, and vitamin B6 reduce premenstrual symptoms?
Randomised trial, 2023
Does gamma-tocopherol (a form of vitamin E) reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms?