---
title: Does evening primrose oil help premenstrual syndrome? | Niyora
description: Probably not. The best-designed studies found no benefit, though the studies were small enough that a small effect can't be completely ruled out.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/is-evening-primrose-oil-of-value-in-the-treatment-of-premenstrual-syndrome-1996/
---

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- Does evening primrose oil help premenstrual syndrome?

Systematic review, 1996

# Does evening primrose oil help premenstrual syndrome?

Probably not. The best-designed studies found no benefit, though the studies were small enough that a small effect can't be completely ruled out.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with premenstrual syndrome (from various clinical trials)

## What they did

Systematic review searching for clinical trials of evening primrose oil for PMS. Researchers found 7 placebo-controlled trials, but only 5 clearly showed randomization (random assignment to groups). The most rigorous 2 trials were examined in detail.

## What they found

The two most well-controlled studies failed to show any beneficial effects of evening primrose oil compared to placebo. Different trials used inconsistent scoring and ways to measure success, making it impossible to combine the data in a proper statistical analysis.

## What it means for you

Evening primrose oil appears to be of little value for PMS treatment. The main limitation is that the trials were small, so a modest benefit cannot be completely excluded. Inconsistent measurement methods across trials also make it hard to reach firm conclusions.

7

Placebo-controlled trials found

5

With clear randomization

2

Most well-controlled studies

## About the study

Original title Is evening primrose oil of value in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome? Authors Budeiri D, Li Wan Po A, Dornan JC Journal Controlled clinical trials Year 1996 Study design Systematic review What was tested Evening primrose oil vs placebo Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0197-2456(95)00082-8](https://doi.org/10.1016/0197-2456(95)00082-8)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Evening primrose oil](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-evening-primrose/)

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, 2009

Which herbs, vitamins and minerals help treat PMS?

Systematic review, 2007

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Study, 2002

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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, 2024

Does a herbal soft gel capsule with three oils reduce PMS symptoms?

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