--- title: How do turmeric and curcumin help with PMS and dysmenorrhea? | Niyora description: Turmeric and curcumin reduce PMS and dysmenorrhea through anti-inflammatory and mood-improving effects, but larger clinical trials are needed to confirm the b url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-curcuma-longa-turmeric-and-curcumin-on-the-premenstrual-syndrome-and-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How do turmeric and curcumin help with PMS and dysmenorrhea? Systematic review, 2024 # How do turmeric and curcumin help with PMS and dysmenorrhea? Turmeric and curcumin reduce PMS and dysmenorrhea through anti-inflammatory and mood-improving effects, but larger clinical trials are needed to confirm the best doses. Moderate study design 17 studies on the effects of turmeric and curcumin on female reproductive system ## What they did Systematic review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Researchers searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus and selected 17 articles about turmeric and curcumin's effects on female reproductive health. ## What they found Turmeric and curcumin work by inhibiting COX-2 and reducing prostaglandins (which cause pain and inflammation), providing antioxidant protection, and increasing serotonin and dopamine levels. These mechanisms help reduce pain, inflammation, and psychological symptoms. ## What it means for you The ways these herbs work are well understood from research, but doctors cannot yet recommend them confidently because the studies were limited and did not establish clear dosing guidelines. 17 articles reviewed ## About the study Original title Effects of Curcuma longa (turmeric) and curcumin on the premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea: A systematic review Authors Zahra Shabanian Boroujeni, Saeid Heidari-Soureshjani, Catherine M.T. Sherwin Journal Journal of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Disorders Year 2024 Study design Systematic review What was tested Curcuma longa (turmeric) and curcumin Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1177/22840265231219331](https://doi.org/10.1177/22840265231219331) Original abstract Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea, in addition to harming the physical and mental health of women, also disrupt their daily life and quality of life. We aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of Curcuma longa (turmeric) and curcumin on PMS and dysmenorrhea. PRISMA guideline 2020 was followed for conducting this systematic review. Comprehensive literature searches were conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus. Finally, 17 articles were found after considering the study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria into account. Data were extracted and entered into an Excel file for further investigation and drew the results. Curcuma longa and curcumin affect PMS and dysmenorrhea through various mechanisms. They inhibit the activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the production of prostaglandins, thus reducing inflammation and pain. Additionally, curcumin’s antioxidant properties protect against oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation helps maintain hormonal balance, exert analgesic effects, and relieve the symptoms of PMS and dysmenorrhea. They also insert neurotransmitter modulatory properties, such as increased serotonin and dopamine levels, which may contribute to their antidepressant, and sedative effects. Curcuma longa and curcumin indicated promising therapeutic effects in reducing PMS and dysmenorrhea symptoms due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Although, further well-designed clinical trials are needed to establish their efficacy and optimal dosage. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Curcumin and turmeric](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-curcumin/) 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. ## Related studies Randomised trial, 2024 Does curcumin reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in women with PMS and dysmenorrhea? Randomised trial, 2024 Does curcumin-piperine combination improve antioxidant activity in women with PMS and period pain? Randomised trial, 2023 Does curcumin reduce inflammation in women with PMS and painful periods? Randomised trial, 2022 Does curcumin with piperine reduce PMS symptoms by lowering inflammation? Randomised trial, 2022 Do herbal medicines and nutritional supplements help relieve PMS symptoms? Systematic review, 2025 Does curcumin supplement help reduce PMS and period pain symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗