Randomised trial, 1997
Does Vitex agnus castus work better than vitamin B6 for premenstrual tension syndrome?
Both reduced symptoms by similar amounts (47-48%), but more women on Vitex reported excellent results and had no remaining complaints, suggesting Vitex may work better for PMTS.
What they did
Double-blind RCT where 175 women with PMTS took either Vitex agnus castus capsules or vitamin B6 capsules daily for 3 treatment cycles. Doctors and women themselves rated how well the treatment worked using symptom scales.
What they found
Vitex reduced symptoms by 47.4% and vitamin B6 by 48%. For specific complaints like breast tenderness, swelling, inner tension, headache, constipation, and depression, Vitex provided considerably more relief. Doctors rated 24.5% of Vitex treatments as excellent compared to 12.1% for vitamin B6. Among women themselves, 36.1% in the Vitex group and 21.3% in the vitamin B6 group became symptom-free. Side effects were mild and rare in both groups.
What it means for you
Both treatments are safe and effective. Vitex may work better than vitamin B6 for PMTS, particularly for mood and breast symptoms. The study covered 3 treatment cycles and used double-blind design, which is good. However, it was done at one location and only compared these two treatments.
175
women with PMTS
47.4%
symptom reduction with Vitex
36.1%
became symptom-free with Vitex
About the study
- Original title
- Treatment of premenstrual tension syndrome with Vitex agnus castus controlled, double-blind study versus pyridoxine
- Authors
- Lauritzen C, Reuter HD, Repges R et al.
- Journal
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
- Year
- 1997
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 90
- What was tested
- Vitex agnus castus (1 capsule) versus vitamin B6 (2 capsules) daily for 3 cycles
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0944-7113(97)80066-9
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