Randomised trial, 2023
Does taking a specific bacteria supplement help with premenstrual emotional symptoms?
Taking Lactobacillus paragasseri OLL2809 for three menstrual cycles reduced premenstrual irritability and improved energy and activity levels compared to placebo.
What they did
80 healthy women aged 25-40 with premenstrual symptoms were randomly assigned to take tablets with either Lactobacillus paragasseri OLL2809 or placebo for 3 menstrual cycles. Researchers measured symptoms using questionnaires about menstrual distress.
What they found
The OLL2809 group had significantly greater improvements in premenstrual energy and activity compared to placebo. They also reported significantly lower premenstrual irritability than the placebo group.
What it means for you
This bacteria supplement might help improve mood and energy during the premenstrual phase. The study is small (40 women per group) and only tested healthy women, so results may not apply to those with severe PMDD. More research is needed.
80
Women enrolled
40
Women per group
3
Menstrual cycles
About the study
- Original title
- Lactobacillus paragasseri OLL2809 Improves Premenstrual Psychological Symptoms in Healthy Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
- Authors
- Sato A, Fukawa-Nagira A, Sashihara T
- Journal
- Nutrients
- Year
- 2023
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 40
- What was tested
- Lactobacillus paragasseri OLL2809 tablets versus placebo for 3 menstrual cycles
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3390/nu15234985
Original abstract
Lactobacillus paragasseri OLL2809 has been shown to ameliorate stress. This study employed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group design to assess the efficacy of continuous ingestion of OLL2809 for managing menstrual symptoms in healthy women. Eighty healthy adult women aged 25-40 years who experienced premenstrual and menstrual symptoms were randomly assigned to either the OLL2809 or placebo group ( n = 40 each) and ingested tablets containing OLL2809 or placebo for three menstrual cycles. The OLL2809 group exhibited a significantly greater change in premenstrual 'arousal' scores on the menstrual distress questionnaire compared to the placebo group after the three menstrual cycles. Specifically, changes in the 'activity' subfactor were significantly higher in the OLL2809 group than in the placebo group. Additionally, the OLL2809 group reported significantly lower premenstrual irritability on the visual analog scale than the placebo group. These results suggest that OLL2809 may contribute to enhancing the quality of life of women.
Reproduced under CC-BY.
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