Systematic review, 2025
Does taking zinc supplements help with PMS symptoms?
Yes, the evidence so far suggests zinc supplements can reduce overall PMS symptoms, including emotional and physical ones, but the research base is still small so this isn't fully settled.
What they did
Researchers combined results from existing studies on zinc for PMS. They searched six databases and found five randomized controlled trials; five were reviewed in detail and four of those were combined in a statistical analysis (meta-analysis).
What they found
Zinc supplementation reduced total PMS scores (effect size g = -0.384), emotional symptoms (g = -0.347), and physical symptoms (g = -0.512), with all results favoring zinc over the comparison. The reduction in total PMS scores and emotional symptoms was supported by moderate-certainty evidence; the physical symptom result was weaker (low certainty) and more sensitive to which studies were included.
What it means for you
Zinc looks like a promising, non-drug option for easing PMS symptoms, but only five trials exist and they varied in quality and methods, so larger, better-designed studies are needed before this can be recommended with confidence.
5
trials included in the review
g = -0.384
effect size for total PMS score reduction
g = -0.512
effect size for physical symptom reduction
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of zinc supplementation on premenstrual symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Authors
- Kim YM, Baek J
- Journal
- Women & health
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- Zinc supplementation
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2025.2539815
Topics
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