Randomised trial, 1989
Does vitamin B6 reduce PMS mood symptoms?
Yes, vitamin B6 at 50 mg per day significantly improved mood-related symptoms like depression, irritability, and tiredness. It did not help other PMS symptoms. Only about half the women finished the study.
What they did
63 women aged 18-49 with moderate to severe PMS received vitamin B6 (50 mg per day) or placebo in a double-blind crossover design. They kept a daily symptom diary for a baseline month, then took either drug or placebo for 3 months, then switched treatments for 3 more months. They tracked 9 symptoms daily on a scale of 0 to 3. Only 32 women completed all 7 months.
What they found
Vitamin B6 significantly improved emotional symptoms (depression, irritability, and tiredness) compared to placebo. It did not improve other types of premenstrual symptoms.
What it means for you
Vitamin B6 may help with mood symptoms of PMS specifically. However, only about half the women completed the study, and we need more research to be sure the dose and benefits are real.
32/63 completed
Study completion
50 mg daily
Vitamin B6 dose
9 symptoms
Tracked daily on 0-3 scale
About the study
- Original title
- Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and the premenstrual syndrome: a randomized crossover trial
- Authors
- Doll H, Brown S, Thurston A et al.
- Journal
- The Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
- Year
- 1989
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) 50 mg per day
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2558186/
Topics
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