Randomised trial, 2000
What non-antidepressant treatments might help PMS?
A study of 466 women found calcium was effective at reducing emotional, behavioral, and physical PMS symptoms. Cognitive therapy, light therapy, and tryptophan also showed promise in early trials.
What they did
This article reviewed multiple studies on non-antidepressant PMS treatments, including a large double-blind placebo-controlled study of 466 women who took calcium.
What they found
Calcium reduced emotional, behavioral, and physical premenstrual symptoms. Ovulation-suppressing medications helped but carried risks like low estrogen and bone loss. Cognitive therapy, light therapy, and tryptophan showed promise in preliminary trials.
What it means for you
Calcium may be a safe, accessible option to try for PMS. Several other non-drug treatments look promising but need more research before we know if they really work.
466
Women in calcium study
About the study
- Original title
- Non-antidepressant treatment of premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Pearlstein T, Steiner M
- Journal
- The Journal of clinical psychiatry
- Year
- 2000
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 466
- What was tested
- Calcium and other non-antidepressant approaches including cognitive therapy, light therapy, and tryptophan
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11041381/
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2003
What treatments work for PMS and PMDD?
Systematic review, 2007
What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?
Study, 2002
Which PMS treatments have good scientific evidence?
Review, 2001
What are PMS and PMDD, and how are they treated?
Review, 2006
What treatments work for premenstrual disorders?
Randomised trial, 2010
What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?