Randomised trial, 2010
Does St John's wort help women with mild PMS?
St John's wort at 900 mg daily was more effective than placebo for physical and behavioral PMS symptoms, but the study was small.
What they did
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 36 women aged 18-45 with mild PMS. Women had a 2-cycle placebo run-in, then took either 900 mg daily St John's wort or placebo for 2 cycles, had a washout cycle, then switched treatments for 2 more cycles. Daily symptoms and hormone levels were measured.
What they found
St John's wort was statistically superior to placebo in improving physical and behavioral symptoms. Hormone levels and cytokine levels did not differ between St John's wort and placebo treatment.
What it means for you
St John's wort may help mild PMS symptoms. However, the study was very small with only 36 women, and it did not explain how the herb works since hormone levels were unchanged.
36
women in study
900 mg/day
daily dose
2
cycles per treatment
About the study
- Original title
- The efficacy of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Authors
- Canning S, Waterman M, Orsi N et al.
- Journal
- CNS drugs
- Year
- 2010
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 36
- What was tested
- St John's wort 900 mg daily standardized to 0.18% hypericin and 3.38% hyperforin
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2165/11530120-000000000-00000
Topics
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