Vitamins that may be helpful
Many,9 10 11 12 13 though not
all,14 clinical trials show that taking 50–400 mg of vitamin B6 per day for several months help relieve
symptoms of PMS. A composite analysis of the best designed controlled trials shows that
vitamin B6 is more than twice as likely to reduce symptoms of PMS as is placebo.15
Many doctors suggest 100–400 mg per day for at least three months. However, intakes
greater than 200 mg per day can cause side effects and should never be taken without the
supervision of a healthcare professional.
Women who consume more calcium from their
diets are less likely to suffer severe PMS.16 A large double-blind trial found that
women who took 1,200 mg per day of calcium for three menstrual cycles had a 48% reduction in
PMS symptoms, compared to a 30% reduction in the placebo group.17 Other
double-blind trials have shown that supplementing 1,000 mg of calcium per day relieves
premenstrual symptoms.18 19
Women with PMS have been shown to have impaired conversion of linoleic acid (an essential
fatty acid) to gamma linolenic acid (GLA).20 Because a deficiency of GLA might, in
theory, be a factor in PMS and because evening
primrose oil (EPO) contains significant amounts of GLA, researchers have studied EPO as a
potential way to reduce symptoms of PMS. In several double-blind trials, EPO was found to be
beneficial,21 22 23 24 whereas in other trials it
was no more effective than placebo.25 26
Despite these conflicting results, some doctors consider EPO to be worth a try; the amount
usually recommended is 3–4 grams per day. EPO may work best when used over several
menstrual cycles and may be more helpful in women with PMS who also experience breast
tenderness or fibrocystic breast
disease.27
Women with PMS have been reported to be at increased risk of magnesium
deficiency.28 29 Supplementing with magnesium may help reduce symptoms.30
31 In one double-blind trial using only 200 mg per day for two months, a significant
reduction was reported for several symptoms related to PMS (fluid retention, weight gain, swelling of extremities,
breast tenderness, and abdominal bloating).32 Magnesium has also been reported to
be effective in reducing the symptoms of menstrual migraine headaches.33 While the
ideal amount of magnesium has yet to be determined, some doctors recommend 400 mg per
day.34 Effects of magnesium may begin to appear after two to three months.
A preliminary, uncontrolled trial found that women with severe PMS who took potassium supplements had complete resolution of PMS
symptoms within four menstrual cycles.35 Most participants took 400 mg of potassium
per day as potassium gluconate plus 200 mg of potassium per day as potassium chloride for the
first two cycles, then switched to solely the gluconate form (600 mg potassium per day) for
the remainder of the year-long trial. Without exception, all of the women found their symptoms
(i.e., bloating, fatigue, irritability, etc.) decreasing gradually over three cycles and
disappearing completely by the fourth cycle. Controlled trials are needed to confirm these
preliminary observations.
The amino acid, L-tryptophan has been shown
to help relieve PMS symptoms. In a double-blind trial, women with premenstrual discomfort
received 6 grams per day of L-tryptophan or placebo for 17 days.36 Those who took
L-tryptophan had significant improvement of symptoms, including mood swings, tension,
irritability, breast sensitivity, water retention, and headache. There was a slight reduction
in premenstrual depression, but it was not statistically significant. L-tryptophan is
available only by prescription. It has not been determined whether 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, a metabolic byproduct of
L-tryptophan that is available without prescription) has similar effects.
In a double-blind trial, supplementing with
soy protein (providing 68 mg of isoflavones per day) for two menstrual cycles was
significantly more effective than a placebo at relieving premenstrual swelling and
cramping.37 The placebo used in this study was cow's milk protein. Some doctors believe that cow's
milk, because of its estrogen content, can
worsen premenstrual symptoms. If that is the case, then the beneficial effect of soy protein
may have been overestimated in this study.
Although women with PMS do not appear to be deficient in vitamin E,38 a double-blind trial reported
that 300 IU of vitamin E per day may decrease symptoms of PMS.39
Some of the nutrients mentioned above appear together in multivitamin-mineral supplements. One double-blind
trial used a multivitamin-mineral supplement containing vitamin B6 (600 mg per day), magnesium (500 mg per day), vitamin E (200 IU per day), vitamin A (25,000 IU per day), B-complex vitamins, and various other vitamins and
minerals.40 This supplement was found to relieve each of four different categories
of PMS symptoms. Related results have been reported in other clinical trials.41
42
Most well-controlled trials have not found vaginally applied natural progesterone to be effective against the symptoms of
premenstrual syndrome.43 Only anecdotal reports have claimed that orally or
rectally administered progesterone may be effective.44 Progesterone is a hormone,
and as such, there are concerns about its inappropriate use. A physician should be consulted
before using this or other hormones. Few side effects have been associated with use of topical
progesterone creams, but skin reactions may occur. The effect of natural progesterone on breast cancer risk remains unclear; some research
suggests the possibility of increased risk, whereas other research points to a possible
reduction in risk.
Very high amounts of vitamin A—100,000 IU per day or more—have reduced symptoms
of PMS,45 46 but such an amount can cause serious side effects with
long-term use. Women who are or who could become
pregnant should not supplement with more than 10,000 IU (3,000 mcg) per day of vitamin A.
Other people should not take more than 25,000 IU per day without the supervision of their
doctor. As yet, no trials have explored the effects of these safer amounts of vitamin A in
women suffering from PMS.
Many years ago, research linked B vitamin deficiencies to PMS in preliminary
research.47 48 Based on that early work, some doctors recommend
B-complex vitamins for women with PMS.49
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions.
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