Randomised trial, 2015
Does zinc supplement help dysmenorrhea and PMS symptoms?
Yes. Taking zinc supplements for 4 days before menstruation reduced period pain severity, improved menstrual bleeding, and reduced symptoms like headache, dizziness, and muscle pain compared to placebo.
What they did
Double-blind randomized trial with 66 university students in Iran with dysmenorrhea lasting at least 3 menstrual cycles. One group took zinc supplements (50 mg) twice daily for 4 days before menstruation; the control group took placebo in the same pattern.
What they found
The zinc group had lower dysmenorrhea severity and improved menstrual bleeding. They also reported lower frequency of headache, vertigo, muscular pain, disability in daily activities, and general weakness. The zinc group used less pain medication than the placebo group.
What it means for you
Briefly taking zinc supplements before periods may reduce period pain and some related symptoms. The study only examined 4 days of treatment in student populations, so it's not clear if longer use or use in other groups would be different.
66
University students
50 mg
Zinc dose twice daily
4
Days before menstruation
About the study
- Original title
- The Positive Effects of Zinc Supplements on the Improvement of Primary Dysmenorrhea and Premenstrual Symptoms: A Double-blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial
- Authors
- Gita Sangestani, Mahnaz Khatiban, Roberto Marci et al.
- Journal
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals)
- Year
- 2015
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 66
- What was tested
- Zinc supplements (50 mg) twice daily for 4 days before menstruation
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.22038/jmrh.2015.4463
Topics
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