Study, 2020
Does a combination of natural products help reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms?
Yes, a combination of calcium, vitamin D, and plant compounds (lycopene, astaxanthin, and citrus bioflavonoids) reduced PMS symptoms by 75% compared to placebo, with individual symptoms reduced between 63% and 96%.
What they did
22 women with PMS took either the supplement formula or a placebo pill twice a day, starting when symptoms appeared and continuing for the next 3 days. A 32-item symptom checklist was used to score symptoms before and after treatment.
What they found
The supplement formula reduced the total PMS symptom score by 75%. Individual symptoms improved by 63% to 96%, with anxiety reduced by 63%, indecision reduced by 96%, and colic pain reduced by 83%.
What it means for you
A combination of calcium, vitamin D, and plant compounds may help reduce PMS symptoms quickly when taken at the start of symptoms. However, this study was small (only 22 women) and did not provide details about how participants were assigned to treatment or placebo, so it is not clear how reliable the results are.
22
women in the study
75%
reduction in total symptom score
83%
reduction in colic pain
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Treatment with Physiological Modulators
- Authors
- Umberto Cornelli, Hern, ez Santos et al.
- Journal
- Gynecology & Obstetrics
- Year
- 2020
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- Formula containing calcium, vitamin D, lycopene, astaxanthin, citrus bioflavonoids vs placebo
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.35248/2161-10932.20.10.523
Topics
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