Does sage extract reduce emotional symptoms of PMS?

Introduction: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the most common psychosomatic disorders in women which significantly affects their social quality of life. Some studies have demonstrated the effects of Salvia on some problems of menstruation. Therefore, this study was performed with aim to investigate the effects of Salvia extract on the symptoms of PMS. Methods: This randomized, triple-blind, clinical trial study was conducted on 90 students living in the dormitories of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2015. After diagnosis by the standard form of PMS diagnosis, the samples were randomly assigned to two groups. They were treated for two consecutive months, since the 21st day of menstruation till the 5th day of next menstrual cycle with 500 mg sage capsule or placebo once a day. Data collection tools were questionnaire and the form of daily status recording of the symptoms. Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 20) and t-test, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, and repeated measurements tests. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Although there was a significant difference between the two groups of sage and placebo in terms of overall severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms before treatment (P<0.001), but the difference between the mean reduction in the overall severity of symptoms after the first and second stages of treatment was significant and showed the greater effect of sage (P<0.001). There was a significant difference between the two groups in reducing the severity of emotional symptoms, and sage was more effective than placebo (P <0.001). Conclusion: Sage extract reduces the severity of emotional symptoms of PMS; it is more effective than placebo.

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