HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bendich, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bendich, A.

The Potential for Dietary Supplements to Reduce Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Symptoms

Associate Director, New Product Research, SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare, Parsippany, New Jersey

Address reprint requests to: Dr. Adrianne Bendich, SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare, 1500 Littleton Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054-3884.

Many types of dietary supplements have been advocated for the reduction of certain symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). However, only one supplement—calcium—has been demonstrated to be of significant benefit in a large, rigorous, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Limited evidence suggests that magnesium, vitamin E and carbohydrate supplements might also be useful, but additional research is needed to confirm these findings. Trials of vitamin B6 supplementation have had conflicting results, and high doses of this vitamin taken for prolonged periods of time can cause neurological symptoms. Trials of evening primrose oil have also had conflicting results; the two most rigorous studies showed no evidence of benefit. A variety of herbal products are suggested to reduce symptoms of PMS. The efficacy of these products is uncertain because of a lack of consistent data from scientific studies. Health professionals should be aware of the possible use of these supplements and ask those with PMS about their use of such products and counsel them based upon the totality of evidence.

Key words: calcium, magnesium, manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin E, gamma-linolenic acid

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. R. Bertone-Johnson, S. E. Hankinson, A. Bendich, S. R. Johnson, W. C. Willett, and J. E. Manson Calcium and Vitamin D Intake and Risk of Incident Premenstrual Syndrome Arch Intern Med, June 13, 2005; 165(11): 1246 - 1252. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L. Neuhouser Dietary Supplement Use by American Women: Challenges in Assessing Patterns of Use, Motives and Costs J. Nutr., June 1, 2003; 133(6): 1992S - 1996. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]