---
title: Which dietary supplements help PMS? | Niyora
description: Only calcium has strong evidence from large rigorous trials. Magnesium, vitamin E, and carbohydrate supplements show limited promise but need more research. V
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-potential-for-dietary-supplements-to-reduce-premenstrual-syndrome-pms-2000/
---

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- Which dietary supplements help PMS?

Randomised trial, 2000

# Which dietary supplements help PMS?

Only calcium has strong evidence from large rigorous trials. Magnesium, vitamin E, and carbohydrate supplements show limited promise but need more research. Vitamin B6 and evening primrose oil have mixed results.

 Strong study design

Various populations with PMS studied across multiple trials

## What they did

Review of published research on dietary supplements for PMS. The authors examined available evidence from clinical trials.

## What they found

Calcium is the only supplement proven effective in a large double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Magnesium, vitamin E, and carbohydrate supplements might help but need more research. Vitamin B6 trials show conflicting results and high doses can cause nerve damage. Evening primrose oil showed no benefit in the most rigorous studies. Herbal products lack consistent evidence.

## What it means for you

If you want to try a supplement, calcium has the best evidence. Others need more research. High-dose vitamin B6 can be harmful. Herbal products are not yet supported by solid science. Limitation: This review examines existing studies which vary in quality.

calcium

only supplement with strong evidence

vitamin B6

conflicting results, can cause nerve damage

primrose oil

no benefit in rigorous studies

## About the study

Original title The potential for dietary supplements to reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms Authors Bendich A Journal Journal of the American College of Nutrition Year 2000 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Various dietary supplements: calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin B6, evening primrose oil, and herbs Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2000.10718907](https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2000.10718907)

## 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/)[Vitamin E](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-e/)[Evening primrose oil](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-evening-primrose/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)

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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