Systematic review, 2009
Which herbs, vitamins and minerals help treat PMS?
Only calcium has good evidence to work for PMS. Chasteberry and vitamin B6 may help, but most of the 62 products people try lack proper research.
What they did
Systematic review that searched medical databases from the beginning through April 2008 for randomized controlled trials testing herbs, vitamins or minerals for PMS. The reviewers looked for studies testing 62 different products.
What they found
Only 10 of the 62 products had randomized controlled trial evidence. Calcium had good quality evidence. Chasteberry and vitamin B6 suggested to be effective. Some benefit seen with ginkgo, magnesium pyrrolidone, saffron, St. John's Wort, soy and vitamin E. Evening primrose oil and magnesium oxide showed no benefit.
What it means for you
If you consider supplements for PMS, calcium is the most well-researched. Most herbal and vitamin products lack good evidence. Researchers need longer, larger studies with better quality products before we can trust most supplements.
62
herbs, vitamins and minerals identified
10
products with randomized controlled trial evidence
About the study
- Original title
- Herbs, vitamins and minerals in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review
- Authors
- Whelan AM, Jurgens TM, Naylor H
- Journal
- The Canadian journal of clinical pharmacology = Journal canadien de pharmacologie clinique
- Year
- 2009
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- herbs, vitamins, and minerals for PMS
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19923637/
Topics
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