---
title: Does L-tryptophan help premenstrual mood symptoms? | Niyora
description: In a small uncontrolled study, 13 women improved significantly on L-tryptophan with mild side effects, but because there was no placebo group, we cannot be su
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/tryptophan-in-the-treatment-of-late-luteal-phase-dysphoric-disorder-a-pilot-1994/
---

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- Does L-tryptophan help premenstrual mood symptoms?

Randomised trial, 1994

# Does L-tryptophan help premenstrual mood symptoms?

In a small uncontrolled study, 13 women improved significantly on L-tryptophan with mild side effects, but because there was no placebo group, we cannot be sure the improvement came from treatment rather than from expectation of improvement. The evidence is weak.

 Early or limited evidence

13 women with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder

## What they did

Open pilot study with no control group. 13 women with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder (the older name for PMDD) had baseline symptom measurements during one cycle. They then took L-tryptophan 6 grams per day for the next three cycles.

## What they found

L-tryptophan treatment was associated with significant improvement in symptoms including depression, irritability, insomnia, and carbohydrate craving, with only mild side effects.

## What it means for you

L-tryptophan may help premenstrual mood symptoms, but this needs to be tested in a proper randomized controlled trial with placebo because without a control group, placebo effect could explain the improvement. The study is small and from 1994.

13

women studied

6 grams

daily dose of L-tryptophan

3 cycles

duration of treatment

## About the study

Original title Tryptophan in the treatment of late luteal phase dysphoric disorder: a pilot study Authors Steinberg S, Annable L, Young SN et al. Journal Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience : JPN Year 1994 Study design Randomised trial What was tested L-tryptophan 6 grams per day Open access Yes Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8204563/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8204563/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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.

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