Randomised trial, 2003
What complementary and alternative medicines help with women's reproductive health issues?
Acupressure helps with pregnancy nausea and calcium helps with PMS. Vitamin B6, ginger, magnesium, chaste-tree berry, low-fat diet, exercise, and fish oil show promise but need more research.
What they did
A systematic review of 93 randomized controlled trials of complementary and alternative medicine therapies for pregnancy-related and gynecologic conditions, published between 1966 and 2002.
What they found
Of 93 trials reviewed, 45 studied pregnancy conditions and 33 studied PMS. Evidence supported acupressure for pregnancy nausea and calcium for PMS. Preliminary evidence suggested benefits of vitamin B6, ginger, magnesium, chaste-tree berry extract, low-fat diet, exercise, and fish oil for pregnancy nausea, PMS, or period pain.
What it means for you
Some complementary treatments have limited evidence of benefit, with acupressure and calcium most promising. Many others need better research. Limited evidence does not mean treatments don't work, but stronger studies are needed to confirm benefit.
93
Randomized controlled trials reviewed
33
Trials studying PMS
45
Trials studying pregnancy conditions
About the study
- Original title
- Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in reproductive-age women: a review of randomized controlled trials
- Authors
- Fugh-Berman A, Kronenberg F
- Journal
- Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.)
- Year
- 2003
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Various complementary and alternative medicine therapies
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0890-6238(02)00128-4
Topics
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