--- title: Does curcumin improve memory and thinking in women with PMS and period pain? description: Yes. Women taking curcumin had significant improvements in memory, attention, and overall thinking abilities compared to placebo. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/efficacy-of-curcumin-on-cognitive-function-scores-in-women-with-premenstrual-2023/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does curcumin improve memory and thinking in women with PMS and period pain? Randomised trial, 2023 # Does curcumin improve memory and thinking in women with PMS and period pain? Yes. Women taking curcumin had significant improvements in memory, attention, and overall thinking abilities compared to placebo. Moderate study design 124 women with both PMS and dysmenorrhea ## What they did 124 women with both PMS and dysmenorrhea (period pain) were randomly divided into two equal groups. For 3 menstrual cycles, one group took 500 mg curcuminoid capsules daily for 10 days (7 days before menstruation and 3 days after it started), while the other group took placebo. Thinking abilities were tested in 7 different areas. ## What they found The curcumin group had higher memory scores (3.5±3.1 vs 0.4±3.8 placebo), better inhibitory control and selective attention (3.0±3.7 vs 0.4±3.7), and higher total cognitive ability (8.3±12.3 vs 2.2±12.4). All improvements were statistically significant. Curcumin was safe and well-tolerated. ## What it means for you Curcumin may help women with PMS think more clearly, remember better, and concentrate. The study only lasted 3 menstrual cycles and the sample, while reasonable, is moderate in size. 124 women studied 500 mg curcuminoid dose 3 menstrual cycles ## About the study Original title Efficacy of Curcumin on Cognitive Function Scores in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome and Dysmenorrhea: A Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Authors Bahrami A, Jafari-Nozad AM, Karbasi S et al. Journal Chinese journal of integrative medicine Year 2023 Study design Randomised trial Participants 124 What was tested 500 mg curcuminoid daily for 10 days per menstrual cycle over 3 cycles Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s11655-023-3732-3](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-023-3732-3) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Curcumin and turmeric](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-curcumin/) 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 Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Randomised trial, 2024 Does curcumin reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in women with PMS and dysmenorrhea? Randomised trial, 2024 Does curcumin-piperine combination improve antioxidant activity in women with PMS and period pain? Randomised trial, 2023 Does curcumin reduce inflammation in women with PMS and painful periods? Randomised trial, 2022 Does curcumin with piperine reduce PMS symptoms by lowering inflammation? Survey study, 2026 What menstrual cycle symptoms do people experience and how much do they interfere with daily life? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗