Review, 1988

Do NSAIDs like ibuprofen help with period pain and PMS?

NSAIDs definitely help with period pain, but there is not yet enough evidence that they help with premenstrual syndrome.

Early or limited evidence General population (review of existing knowledge)

What they did

This was a review article. The authors examined scientific evidence about whether non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs like ibuprofen) help both period pain and PMS.

What they found

NSAIDs are effective for period pain because period pain is caused by too much of a substance called prostaglandin F2 alpha. However, scientists still do not understand what causes PMS, and evidence that NSAIDs help with PMS symptoms has not been established.

What it means for you

We know NSAIDs help period cramps because we understand the cause. We do not yet know enough about PMS to say whether NSAIDs help with its symptoms.

About the study

Original title: Treatment of dysmenorrhoea and premenstrual syndrome with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Authors: Shapiro SS
Journal: Drugs
Year: 1988
Study design: Review
What was tested: none
Read the paper: doi.org/10.2165/00003495-198836040-00005

Topics

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)Dysmenorrhea and period pain

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