Study, 2011
Does a plant extract called DLBS1442 reduce premenstrual syndrome and period pain?
Yes. A plant extract reduced belly pain by about 37 to 44 percent and other PMS symptoms, although this was a small study without a placebo control group.
What they did
The study followed 23 women aged 18 to 40 over four menstrual cycles: two cycles without treatment and two cycles with treatment. Women took DLBS1442 extract in 100 mg capsules, 2 or 3 times daily for about six days per cycle (starting three days before their period and continuing through the first three days of bleeding). They rated their symptoms daily on a pain scale.
What they found
Before treatment, belly pain on the first two days of the period had pain scores of 36.8 and 30.0 on the scale used. DLBS1442 reduced pain by 37.46 percent on day 1 and 44.28 percent on day 2. Other PMS symptoms also improved. A few mild side effects appeared but went away by the end of the study.
What it means for you
This plant extract may help reduce period pain and some PMS symptoms. However, the study did not use a placebo control group, so we cannot know how much of the improvement was from the extract itself versus expectation. The study was also small and only lasted a few months.
23
women in study
37.46%, 44.28%
pain reduction on days 1-2
About the study
- Original title
- Symptomatic treatment of premenstrual syndrome and/or primary dysmenorrhea with DLBS1442, a bioactive extract of Phaleria macrocarpa
- Authors
- Tjandrawinata RR, Nofiarny D, Susanto LW et al.
- Journal
- International journal of general medicine
- Year
- 2011
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- DLBS1442 plant extract: 100 mg capsules, 2 or 3 times daily for about six days per cycle
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2147/ijgm.s21053
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2025
Do vitamin D and E supplements reduce menstrual pain and PMS symptoms?
Systematic review, 2025
Does digital healthcare help manage period pain and PMS?
Cohort study, 2025
How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it?
Systematic review, 2025
Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS?
Randomised trial, 2024
Does estetrol/drospirenone birth control improve PMS symptoms?
Cohort study, 2024
Is there a link between sleep and menstrual problems in teenage girls?