Randomised trial, 2024
Does Dioscorea esculenta powder reduce menstrual pain and PMS symptoms?
Yes. Women who took this plant powder for 4 weeks had reduced pain and PMS symptoms, but the sample was extremely small.
What they did
A 4-week crossover trial with 10 young women who received either 300 mg of Dioscorea esculenta powder daily or placebo, then switched treatments after a 4-week break. Blood samples measured inflammation chemicals.
What they found
After taking Dioscorea esculenta, women had lower levels of two inflammation chemicals and reported less menstrual pain and PMS symptoms compared to placebo.
What it means for you
This plant powder might reduce period pain and PMS by lowering inflammation. However, only 10 women were studied, so much larger studies are needed to confirm whether this reliably works.
10
Young women studied
300 mg/day
Daily powder dose
4 weeks
Treatment period
About the study
- Original title
- The effect of Dioscorea esculenta powder on prostaglandin E 2 and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 levels, menstrual pain, and premenstrual syndrome in young women: A randomized double-blind controlled trial
- Authors
- Sato K, Seto K
- Journal
- Nutrition and health
- Year
- 2024
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 2
- What was tested
- 300 mg per day of Dioscorea esculenta powder for 4 weeks
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1177/02601060221130889
Topics
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