---
title: Does Efamol help severe PMS? | Niyora
description: Yes. Efamol reduced PMS symptoms and depression better than placebo. It may work by changing how blood platelets function.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/biochemical-and-clinical-effects-of-treating-the-premenstrual-syndrome-with-1985/
---

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- Does Efamol help severe PMS?

Non-randomised trial, 1985

# Does Efamol help severe PMS?

Yes. Efamol reduced PMS symptoms and depression better than placebo. It may work by changing how blood platelets function.

 Early or limited evidence

30 women with severe, incapacitating premenstrual syndrome

## What they did

30 women with severe PMS took either Efamol or placebo. Researchers measured symptoms and also measured a blood protein called thromboxane B2 in platelets. 25 healthy women were measured for comparison.

## What they found

Efamol reduced PMS and depression better than placebo. Women taking Efamol had lower thromboxane B2 levels (141 ng/ml) compared to placebo (186 ng/ml, p<0.01) and healthy controls (176 ng/ml, p<0.05). Hormone levels did not change in either group.

## What it means for you

Efamol may help severe PMS by changing how platelets work, not by changing hormones. However, only 30 women were studied without clear randomization, so larger well-designed studies would help confirm whether it really works.

30 women

with severe PMS

141 vs 186 ng/ml

thromboxane B2 (Efamol vs placebo)

25

healthy control subjects

## About the study

Original title Biochemical and clinical effects of treating the premenstrual syndrome with prostaglandin synthesis precursors Authors Puolakka J, Mäkäräinen L, Viinikka L et al. Journal The Journal of reproductive medicine Year 1985 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 25 What was tested Efamol supplement versus placebo Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3839018/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3839018/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Evening primrose oil](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-evening-primrose/)

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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