Randomised trial, 1991
Does calcium help PMS symptoms?
Yes. Calcium reduced negative mood, water retention, and pain during the week before your period, and reduced pain during your period.
What they did
33 women rated 14 PMS symptoms every day in a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial of calcium supplementation. The study analyzed 2,413 daily ratings during the luteal and menstrual phases using factor analysis.
What they found
Four symptom groups were identified (negative affect, water retention, food, and pain) accounting for 67% of total variance. Calcium reduced negative affect (p=.045), water retention (p=.003), and pain (p=.036) during the luteal phase. It also reduced pain (p=.02) during the menstrual phase.
What it means for you
Calcium may help with specific PMS symptoms. However, this is a small study, so results need confirmation in larger research. The crossover design is a strength because each woman served as her own control.
33
women
67%
total symptom variance explained
4
symptom clusters identified
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual and menstrual symptom clusters and response to calcium treatment
- Authors
- Alvir JM, Thys-Jacobs S
- Journal
- Psychopharmacology bulletin
- Year
- 1991
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 33
- What was tested
- Calcium supplementation
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1924661/
Topics
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