Randomised trial, 1993
Do essential fatty acids help premenstrual syndrome?
No. Essential fatty acids did not reduce PMS symptoms compared to placebo. Some improvement was seen over time but was likely due to placebo effect or the act of being in a study.
What they did
27 women with PMS and 22 symptom-free controls participated in a randomized double-blind crossover trial over 10 menstrual cycles. After a diagnostic cycle and one placebo cycle, PMS women received 4 cycles of essential fatty acids alternating with 4 cycles of placebo.
What they found
Essential fatty acids did not reduce premenstrual symptoms or symptom cyclicity. Time had a significant effect on some symptoms, suggesting either a placebo effect or an effect from study participation. Women with PMS had higher frequency of dysmenorrhea and familial PMS than symptom-free controls.
What it means for you
Essential fatty acids are ineffective for treating PMS. This study demonstrates the importance of placebo effects and other benefits from participating in research. The study was well-designed but had a modest sample size.
27
women with PMS
22
symptom-free controls
10
menstrual cycles studied
About the study
- Original title
- Essential fatty acids in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Collins A, Cerin A, Coleman G et al.
- Journal
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 27
- What was tested
- Essential fatty acids versus placebo
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8416468/
Topics
Related studies
Study, 2024
Does a combination of evening primrose oil, tocotrienol, and vitamin B6 reduce premenstrual symptoms?
Review, 2021
Do herbal products help with PMS?
Study, 2026
Does evening primrose oil help teenage girls and young women with menstrual cycle problems?
Review, 2021
Can diet help with PMS and other menstrual disorders?
Review, 2002
What supplements or alternative treatments help PMS symptoms?
Cohort study, 2026
Do sleep, exercise, and diet quality affect period pain, heavy bleeding, and PMS in midlife?