---
title: Does diet and supplements help PMS? | Niyora
description: Yes, some dietary changes and supplements may help PMS. Magnesium and vitamin B6 are helpful for some women. Results usually appear after 3-4 months.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/pre-menstrual-syndrome-and-diet-1998/
---

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- Does diet and supplements help PMS?

Study, 1998

# Does diet and supplements help PMS?

Yes, some dietary changes and supplements may help PMS. Magnesium and vitamin B6 are helpful for some women. Results usually appear after 3-4 months.

 Moderate study design

Women with PMS seen at a PMS clinic; reviewed published research studies

## What they did

This was a review of published research on diet and PMS. The author also shared clinical experience from seeing many patients with PMS over 6 years at a PMS clinic.

## What they found

Women with PMS often have poor diet and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Magnesium and vitamin B6 are helpful for some women. Evening primrose oil seems most effective for breast tenderness. Calcium supplementation may help reduce some PMS symptoms. Beneficial effects from dietary changes usually appear only after following the advice for 3-4 months.

## What it means for you

Changing your diet could help PMS without needing medication. The downside is waiting 3-4 months to see results, which can feel discouraging. This is based on clinical experience and published research, so it is fairly reliable. However, not every woman's body responds the same way.

6 years

author's clinical experience with PMS patients

3-4 months

time to notice benefits from dietary changes

## About the study

Original title Pre-menstrual syndrome and diet Authors Bussell G Journal Journal of nutritional & environmental medicine Year 1998 Study design Study What was tested Dietary changes and nutritional supplements Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/13590849862302](https://doi.org/10.1080/13590849862302)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Calcium](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-calcium/)[Magnesium](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-magnesium/)[Vitamin B6](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-b6/)[Evening primrose oil](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-evening-primrose/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)

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.

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