--- title: What works better for PMS - counseling, vitamin D, or lifestyle training? description: All three treatments reduced PMS symptoms, but online positive-oriented counseling worked best and women were most satisfied with it. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/online-positive-oriented-counseling-taking-vitamin-d3-tablet-online-lifestyle-2023/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - What works better for PMS - counseling, vitamin D, or lifestyle training? Randomised trial, 2023 # What works better for PMS - counseling, vitamin D, or lifestyle training? All three treatments reduced PMS symptoms, but online positive-oriented counseling worked best and women were most satisfied with it. Moderate study design 77 women aged 20-40 with PMS ## What they did Researchers randomly assigned 77 women aged 20-40 with PMS to three groups: 6 sessions of online positive-oriented counseling, vitamin D3 tablets taken weekly for 6 weeks, or 6 sessions of online lifestyle training. PMS symptoms and satisfaction were measured at baseline, week 6, and week 10. ## What they found At week 10, the counseling group had the most improvement in PMS symptoms (score 22.3), followed by vitamin D3 (25.4), then lifestyle training (31.8), with p < 0.001. The counseling group was also most satisfied with treatment at both week 6 (51 vs 46.4 vs 42.3) and week 10 (55.7 vs 51.4 vs 43). ## What it means for you Positive-oriented counseling may be the most effective and satisfying approach among the three treatments, with benefits coming from improved coping skills and mood regulation. The study included only 77 women and had some loss to follow-up. 77 Women analyzed 22.3 vs 31.8 PMS scores at week 10: counseling vs lifestyle p < 0.001 Difference between groups at follow-up ## About the study Original title Online positive-oriented counseling, taking vitamin D3 tablet, online lifestyle modification training on premenstrual syndrome: a 3-armed randomized clinical trial Authors Mahmoodi M, Farajkhoda T, Nadjarzadeh A et al. Journal Scientific reports Year 2023 Study design Randomised trial Participants 27 What was tested Online positive-oriented counseling (6 sessions), vitamin D3 tablet weekly for 6 weeks, or online lifestyle training (6 sessions) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43940-y](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43940-y) Original abstract Lack of absolute treatment for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), its cyclic nature, considerable prevalence (70-90%), and its mental and physical burden imply necessity of effectiveness comparison of various treatments. Although antidepressant and hormonal drugs are well-known medications for PMS, in affected women who can't tolerate, or don't have compatibility or compliance with these drugs, other effective treatments have always been important concern. This study aimed to compare effectiveness of online positive-oriented counseling, taking vitamin D3 tablet, and online lifestyle modification training on alleviating PMS. 3-armed parallel randomized clinical trial was performed on 84 20-40-year-old eligible women with PMS. 84 women were randomly ( www.random.org/sequenc ) allocated into three groups, but data of 77 women (1, n = 25) online positive-oriented counseling group (6 sessions), (2, n = 27) vitamin D3 tablet group (one vitamin D3 tablet weekly for 6 weeks), and (3, n = 25) online lifestyle training group (6 sessions) were analyzed. Vitamin D3 was measured at baseline, week6 and fallow up week10. Primary outcome variable PMS was measured with Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) at baseline, week 6, and follow-up week 10. Primary outcome satisfaction with intervention method was measured using satisfaction scale at week 6 and follow-up week 10. ANOVA, Repeated Measures, and Paired samples t-test were used for statistical analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in PMS at baseline between three groups respectively (33 ± 5.8, 34.1 ± 7.1, & 35.2 ± 6.4, P = 0.500). However, at follow-up week 10, there was statistically significant difference between three groups (22.3 ± 4.3, 25.4 ± 6.5, & 31.8 ± 6.5; P < 0.001), with greatest improvement in online positive-oriented counseling group (P < 0.001). Satisfaction differed significantly among three groups at week 6 (51 ± 6.8, 46.4 ± 12, & 42.3 ± 6.3, P = 0.001) and follow-up week 10 (55.7 ± 11.6, 51.4 ± 12; & 43 ± 3.3, P < 0.001), with most satisfaction in positive-oriented counseling group (P < 0.001). All three interventions alleviated PMS, but online positive-oriented counseling was more effective and satisfying. Superiority of positive-oriented counseling implies mechanism of adaptation, better relationships, forgiveness, self-mood-regulation, and feasibility of its skills that could be continued individually by women after counseling completion. It is recommended health providers, health policymakers and managers support use of these interventions in treatment program and clinical guidelines.Trial registration: RCT registration number: IRCT20191231045967N1, Registration date:11/02/2020, Registration timing: prospective (IRCT | Survey the effect of vitamin D3 tablet intake, positivism group consulting with changing in life style in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome in women). Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Vitamin D](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-d/) 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 Cohort study, 2010 How do anxiety disorders differ across different life stages? Randomised trial, 2025 How effective are non-hormonal treatments for severe PMS? Review, 2024 What are the most effective treatments for PMDD? Systematic review, 2021 Can cognitive behavioral therapy treat PMS without medication? Systematic review, 2012 How effective are cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressants for PMS and PMDD? Review, 2011 What are PMS and PMDD, and how common are they? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗