Review, 2002
What supplements or alternative treatments help PMS symptoms?
Several supplements show evidence for helping PMS: calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, thiamine (vitamin B1), and omega-3 fatty acids. Japanese herbal formulas may also help.
What they did
Reviewed clinical trials testing alternative and complementary therapies for PMS, dysmenorrhea (painful periods), menopause, and other gynecological conditions.
What they found
For PMS, clinical trials indicate symptoms may be alleviated with calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, thiamine, omega-3 fatty acids, and a Japanese herbal concoction called TSS. For painful periods (dysmenorrhea), calcium, thiamine, omega-3 fatty acids, and TSS have proved useful. Evening primrose oil, chaste tree, and flaxseed oil may help breast pain.
What it means for you
Several affordable supplements have evidence supporting them for PMS. These are reviews of trials; the strength and size of individual studies vary, and more research is needed.
About the study
- Original title
- Gynecology: select topics
- Authors
- Sidani M, Campbell J
- Journal
- Primary care
- Year
- 2002
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, thiamine, omega-3 fatty acids, TSS.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0095-4543(01)00010-0
Topics
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