Randomised trial, 2016

Does vitamin D help with PMS mood symptoms in young women with very low vitamin D?

Yes, vitamin D significantly improved anxiety, irritability, sadness, and relationship problems, while placebo did not. This was in young women with severely low vitamin D levels.

Moderate study design 158 girls aged 15 to 21 with PMS-related mood symptoms and severe vitamin D deficiency.

What they did

A trial with 80 women given vitamin D and 78 given placebo, aged 15 to 21 with very low vitamin D levels (10 ng/mL or lower). Women in the vitamin D group received 200,000 IU initially, then 25,000 IU every two weeks for 4 months. Women recorded mood symptoms throughout.

What they found

Anxiety scores dropped from 51 to 20. Irritability fell from 130 to 70. Crying easily decreased from 41 to 30. Sadness fell from 51 to 31. Problems with relationships dropped from 150 to 70. Vitamin D levels reached the normal range (35 to 60 ng/mL) after the first month. No meaningful changes occurred in the placebo group.

What it means for you

Vitamin D therapy can help young women with severe vitamin D deficiency and PMS-related mood problems. This study focused on girls with very low vitamin D, so results may not apply to women with normal vitamin D levels.

51 to 20

anxiety score decrease

130 to 70

irritability score decrease

35-60 ng/mL

normal vitamin D range achieved

About the study

Original title: Vitamin D Supplementation for Premenstrual Syndrome-Related Mood Disorders in Adolescents with Severe Hypovitaminosis D
Authors: Tartagni M, Cicinelli MV, Tartagni MV et al.
Journal: Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology
Year: 2016
Study design: Randomised trial
Participants: 80
What was tested: Vitamin D at 200,000 IU initially, followed by 25,000 IU every 2 weeks for 4 months.
Read the paper: doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2015.12.006

Topics

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)Low mood and depression Vitamin D Relationships and partners Adolescents and young people

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