--- title: Does an oxaloacetate and vitamin C combination reduce emotional symptoms of PMS? description: Yes. The supplement significantly improved depression, anxiety, stress, and aggression, with depression improving by 54.1% and suicidal ideation reduced by 47 url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/oxaloacetate-reduces-emotional-symptoms-in-premenstrual-syndrome-pms-results-of-2020/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does an oxaloacetate and vitamin C combination reduce emotional symptoms of PMS? Randomised trial, 2020 # Does an oxaloacetate and vitamin C combination reduce emotional symptoms of PMS? Yes. The supplement significantly improved depression, anxiety, stress, and aggression, with depression improving by 54.1% and suicidal ideation reduced by 47.9%. Moderate study design 48 women experiencing premenstrual syndrome. ## What they did A randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial with 48 women with PMS. Women took 2 capsules daily of either 100 mg oxaloacetate with 150 mg vitamin C or placebo for one menstrual cycle, then switched to the other treatment for a second cycle. They completed questionnaires measuring depression, stress, anxiety, and aggression at the start and after each cycle. ## What they found With oxaloacetate and vitamin C supplementation: depression improved 54.1%, perceived stress improved 35.8%, anxiety improved 51.43%, aggression improved 17.8%, and suicidal ideation decreased 47.9%. All results were highly significant. ## What it means for you This combination supplement substantially improved emotional symptoms in PMS, particularly depression and anxiety. However, the study was small with limited information about how women were selected, and it's a single trial. More research is needed to confirm these findings. 54.1% improvement in depression 51.43% improvement in anxiety 47.9% reduction in suicidal ideation ## About the study Original title Oxaloacetate reduces emotional symptoms in premenstrual syndrome (PMS): results of a placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical trial Authors Tully L, Humiston J, Cash A Journal Obstetrics & gynecology science Year 2020 Study design Randomised trial What was tested 100 mg oxaloacetate with 150 mg ascorbic acid (vitamin C) taken as 2 capsules daily for each menstrual cycle. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.5468/ogs.2020.63.2.195](https://doi.org/10.5468/ogs.2020.63.2.195) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Suicidality](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-suicidality/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/) 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 Review, 1999 Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder a distinct clinical disorder? Cohort study, 2025 How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it? Review, 2003 How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD? Randomised trial, 1999 Do SSRIs reduce premenstrual dysphoria symptoms? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Cohort study, 2023 Are premenstrual disorders linked to depression, anxiety, and self-harm in teenage girls? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗