Can a plant-based supplement reduce PMS symptoms?

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a complex of cyclical psycho-emotional, vegetative, and metabolic disturbances that occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. In recent years, there has been an increase in the prevalence and severity of PMS manifestations, which negatively affects women’s quality of life and is considered a pressing medical and social issue.The objective: to identify the features of symptom dynamics of PMS under the influence of comprehensive phytotherapy aimed at correcting biochemical, emotional-behavioral, and reproductive indicators of the female body.Materials and methods. A prospective multicenter observational study was conducted from 2022 to 2025 at women’s outpatient clinics of communal non-commercial enterprises across all regions of Ukraine. The study included 1,413 women aged 18–40 years who had PMS symptoms. Participants received a nutraceutical with a multi-component composition containing standardized extracts of medicinal plants (Vitex agnus-castus – 150 mg, Trigonella foenum-graecum – 100 mg, Cimicifuga racemosa – 50 mg), along with vitamins and microelements with hormone-regulating, anti-inflammatory, sedative, and metabolic effects. The supplement was administered at a dose of one capsule per day for three months. Treatment effectiveness was assessed using a specially developed questionnaire that covered the main PMS symptoms – emotional-behavioral, cognitive, and somatic, as well as features of the menstrual cycle and impact on daily activity. Symptom intensity was recorded using a visual analog scale (0–3 points).Results. Analysis of PMS impact on various life domains showed significant differentiation in negative effects on general activity (76%), work (64%), education (62.5%), and interpersonal relationships (60%). Phytotherapeutic approaches led to a significant reduction in the severity of main PMS symptoms. The proportion of women with the highest levels of anger and irritability decreased from 16.1 to 0.1%, while the proportion of asymptomatic individuals increased from 28.7 to 85.5%. Similarly, there was a decreased rate of respondents with the following symptoms: feeling of helplessness, depressed mood, and self-criticism (from 10.8 to 0.1%, the rate of asymptomatic cases increased from 44.0 to 89.8%), tension and anxiety (from 13.4 to 0.2%, the asymptomatic cases – from 26.3 to 83.9%), difficulty concentrating (from 6.8 to 1.1%, the asymptomatic cases – from 49.8 to 89.9%), significant appetite changes (from 11.9 to 0.1%, the asymptomatic cases – 44.0 to 86.2%), decreased interest in daily activities (from 7.6 to 0%, asymptomatic cases – from 50.7 to 91.0%), rapid fatigue and low energy (from 11.0 to 0.1%, asymptomatic cases – to 84.4%), feelings of oppression and loss of control (from 7.4 to 0.1%, asymptomatic cases – from 55.4 to 91.7%), somatic symptoms (breast pain, bloating, weight gain, joint/muscle pain; from 22.6 to 0.1%, asymptomatic cases – from 17.5 to 78.5%), drowsiness/insomnia (from 8.6 to 0%, asymptomatic cases – from 40.4 to 88.0%), headaches (from 5.7 to 0%, asymptomatic cases – from 5.7 to 91.3%), and heartbeat (from 3.0 to 0%, asymptomatic cases – from 72.0 to 95.0%) (p < 0.05). The highest mean pre-treatment symptom scores were recorded for the somatic symptom complex (breast pain, bloating, weight gain, joint/muscle pain) – 1.43 ± 0.03 points, anger and irritability – 1.19 ± 0.03 points, feelings of depression and loss of control – 0.91 ± 0.03, and tension and anxiety – 1.19 ± 0.03. After one month of therapy, these scores decreased to 0.87 ± 0.02, 0.83 ± 0.02, 0.69 ± 0.02, and 0.92 ± 0.03 points, respectively, continuing to decline by the end of the course (3 months): to 0.26 ± 0.01, 0.16 ± 0.01, 0.21 ± 0.01, and 0.21 ± 0.01 (p < 0.05). A positive effect of the three-month therapy on menstrual function was also established: the average duration of the menstrual cycle decreased (from 32.18 ± 7.91 to 29.11 ± 4.28 days), and the average duration of menstruation decreased (from 5.91 ± 2.13 to 4.98 ± 1.12 days), with a simultaneous stabilization of both indicators within the physiological norm.Conclusions. The results of the multicenter study confirmed the clinical effectiveness of a complex product containing standardized extracts of Vitex agnus-castus (150 mg), Trigonella foenum-graecum (100 mg), Cimicifuga racemosa (50 mg), along with vitamins and microelements, in patients with PMS. The supplement reduced the severity of PMS symptoms and had a positive effect on the functional state of the reproductive system. A full three-month course of therapy contributed to a more stable therapeutic effect and the maintenance of reproductive rhythms.

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