Randomised trial, 1998
Does taking calcium supplements reduce PMS symptoms?
Yes. In this large trial, women who took calcium carbonate had much lower PMS symptom scores than women who took a placebo, with symptoms down 48% versus 30% by the third month.
What they did
Researchers ran a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial across 12 US centers. 497 healthy women aged 18 to 45 with moderate to severe recurring PMS symptoms were enrolled (466 used in the final analysis). Women tracked symptoms daily for 2 cycles, then took either 1200 mg of elemental calcium (as calcium carbonate) or a placebo daily for 3 menstrual cycles.
What they found
At the start, both groups had similar symptom scores. By the second and third treatment cycles, the calcium group had significantly lower symptom scores in the luteal (premenstrual) phase (p=.007 and p<.001). By the third cycle, calcium reduced total symptom scores by 48% from baseline, compared to a 30% reduction with placebo. All four symptom groups measured (mood, bloating, food cravings, pain) improved significantly with calcium.
What it means for you
Calcium supplements may be a simple, effective way to ease PMS symptoms, especially after using it for a few months. The study was well designed and large, but it only looked at calcium carbonate at this specific dose and did not report on PMDD specifically.
497
Participants enrolled
48%
Symptom score reduction with calcium by cycle 3
30%
Symptom score reduction with placebo by cycle 3
About the study
- Original title
- Calcium carbonate and the premenstrual syndrome: effects on premenstrual and menstrual symptoms. Premenstrual Syndrome Study Group
- Authors
- Thys-Jacobs S, Starkey P, Bernstein D et al.
- Journal
- American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
- Year
- 1998
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 497
- What was tested
- 1200 mg of elemental calcium per day (as calcium carbonate) versus placebo, taken for 3 menstrual cycles
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0002-9378(98)70377-1
Topics
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