--- title: Can melatonin help with premenstrual syndrome symptoms? | Niyora description: Melatonin appears safe and might help with PMS symptoms like sleep problems and low mood, but researchers say more rigorous studies are needed before it can b url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/melatonin-for-premenstrual-syndrome-a-potential-remedy-but-not-ready-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Can melatonin help with premenstrual syndrome symptoms? Review, 2022 # Can melatonin help with premenstrual syndrome symptoms? Melatonin appears safe and might help with PMS symptoms like sleep problems and low mood, but researchers say more rigorous studies are needed before it can be recommended. Early or limited evidence This is a review of research, not a study of specific women. ## What they did This is a review of research on melatonin and PMS. The authors examined studies on how melatonin might reduce PMS symptoms by affecting hormone levels and brain chemistry. ## What they found Melatonin appears to regulate hormones like estrogen and progesterone, and brain chemicals involved in PMS. It might help with sleep problems, mood changes, and concentration issues. However, these symptoms are not specific to PMS and can be confused with other conditions. The connections found between melatonin and PMS causes were not consistent across studies. ## What it means for you Melatonin is safe but we don't have enough clear evidence yet to recommend it for PMS. Symptoms like sleep problems and mood changes can be caused by many conditions, making diagnosis difficult. Much more research is needed before final conclusions can be drawn. ## About the study Original title Melatonin for premenstrual syndrome: A potential remedy but not ready Authors Yin W, Zhang J, Guo Y et al. Journal Frontiers in endocrinology Year 2022 Study design Review What was tested Melatonin treatment Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.1084249](https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.1084249) Original abstract Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a recurrent and moderate disorder that occurs during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and quickly resolves after menstruation, is characterized by somatic and emotional discomfort that can be severe enough to impair daily activities. Current therapeutic drugs for PMS such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are not very satisfying. As a critical pineal hormone, melatonin has increasingly been suggested to modulate PMS symptoms. In this review, we update the latest progress on PMS-induced sleep disturbance, mood changes, and cognitive impairment and provide possible pathways by which melatonin attenuates these symptoms. Moreover, we focus on the role of melatonin in PMS molecular mechanisms. Herein, we show that melatonin can regulate ovarian estrogen and progesterone, of which cyclic fluctuations contribute to PMS pathogenesis. Melatonin also modulates gamma-aminobutyric acid and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor system in PMS. Interpreting the role of melatonin in PMS is not only informative to clarify PMS etiology but also instructive to melatonin and its receptor agonist application to promote female health. As a safe interaction, melatonin treatment can be effective in alleviating symptoms of PMS. However, symptoms such as sleep disturbance, depressive mood, cognitive impairment are not specific and can be easily misdiagnosed. Connections between melatonin receptor, ovarian steroid dysfunction, and PMS are not consistent among past studies. Before final conclusions are drawn, more well-organized and rigorous studies are recommended. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Sleep and insomnia](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sleep/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/) 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 Survey study, 2026 Are PMS and PMDD the same condition or are they different? Cohort study, 2022 What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated? Survey study, 2025 What is premenstrual syndrome and how can it be managed in adolescent girls? Randomised trial, 2024 Does a supplement with Rhodiola, Vitex, and vitamin B6 reduce PMS? Study, 2017 Do women with moderate to severe PMS have problems with attention and memory? Cohort study, 2010 How do anxiety disorders differ across different life stages? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗