---
title: Can the pain reliever mefenamic acid ease PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: Yes, in this small trial mefenamic acid improved many physical and mood symptoms of PMS compared with placebo, but the study was very small so this should be
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/mefenamic-acid-in-the-treatment-of-premenstrual-syndrome-1986/
---

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- Can the pain reliever mefenamic acid ease PMS symptoms?

Randomised trial, 1986

# Can the pain reliever mefenamic acid ease PMS symptoms?

Yes, in this small trial mefenamic acid improved many physical and mood symptoms of PMS compared with placebo, but the study was very small so this should be seen as an early, not final, answer.

 Early or limited evidence

15 women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

## What they did

15 women with PMS were given mefenamic acid and a placebo in a random order over six menstrual cycles. Neither the women nor the researchers knew which treatment was given when (double-blind), and each woman tried both (cross-over design).

## What they found

Mefenamic acid significantly improved many physical, mood, and performance symptoms. Fatigue, headache, and general aches and pains improved markedly (P less than .001). Most mood symptoms improved, with freedom from mood swings showing the strongest improvement (P less than .005).

## What it means for you

This suggests mefenamic acid may help with common PMS symptoms like fatigue, headache, body aches, and mood swings. The main limit is the very small number of women studied (15), so the results need confirming in larger trials before being seen as settled evidence.

15

Women studied

6

Menstrual cycles tracked

P<.005

Significance for mood swings improvement

## About the study

Original title Mefenamic acid in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome Authors Mira M, McNeil D, Fraser IS et al. Journal Obstetrics and gynecology Year 1986 Study design Randomised trial Participants 15 What was tested Mefenamic acid versus placebo, tested over six menstrual cycles. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/00006250-198609000-00022](https://doi.org/10.1097/00006250-198609000-00022)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)

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

Guideline, 2019

How should doctors treat PMS and PMDD?

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Does the combination of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium reduce menstrual symptoms and migraine?

Systematic review, 2013

Does Vitex (chaste tree) help PMS and PMDD symptoms?

Randomised trial, 2008

Does drospirenone with ethinyl estradiol birth control help PMDD?

Systematic review, 2008

What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

Systematic review, 2007

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

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