Our doctor’s opinion

As part of its quality approach, Passeportsanté.net invites you to discover the opinion of a health professional. Dr Marc Zaffran, general practitioner, gives you his opinion on the premenstrual syndrome :

Processing

Complementary approaches

 Calcium. Researchers believe that the premenstrual syndrome could be, in part, a manifestation of calcium deficiency8,9. Clinical trials3-6  indicate that daily supplementation of 1 g to 1,5 g of calcium carbonate relieves PMS symptoms (depression, fluid retention and pain) more effectively than a placebo.

Dosage

From 1 g to 1,5 g of calcium carbonate per day. To find out the recommended daily nutritional intake as well as the main dietary sources of calcium, see our Calcium sheet as well as the Calcium Nutrient List.

 Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus). This plant native to the Mediterranean region produces a bathroom which women have used for a very long time to relieve menstrual disturbances. Several clinical trials with placebo carried out with standardized extracts in casticine – 20 mg of ZE 440 (Agnolyt®) or 4 mg of BNO 1095 (Cyclopret®) – confirmed that daily intake of chaste tree for 3 menstrual cycles could reduce the symptoms of PMS10-12,40 .

Dosage

See our Chaste tree file.

Notes. It takes 1 to 3 menstrual cycles before you notice a decrease in PMS symptoms.

 Magnesium. Women with PMS often have sex magnesium / calcium blood lower than that of other women. Researchers believe this imbalance may play an important role, especially in the mood swings characteristic of PMS14. Clinical Study Results Indicate Magnesium May Relieve PMS Symptoms15-19 . In addition, magnesium would help relieve pain associated with the rules. For more information, see our Magnesium sheet.

Dosage

Take, at mealtime, a supplement providing 300 mg of magnesium. If the results are not significant after 2 months, take 300 mg twice a day.

Notes. Favor the gluconate,  citrate or chloride magnesium, as these supplements are less likely to cause diarrhea and are a more readily available source of magnesium than other forms.

 Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba). Two clinical studies31,41 mention a reduction in physical and psychological symptoms premenstrual syndrome by taking 160 mg of Egb 761 ginkgo biloba extract per day, from 16e day of a cycle to 5e day of the next cycle. These results are encouraging, but need to be confirmed on larger population samples.

 Krill oil. In a double-blind trial with 70 women, the effects of fish oil were compared to those of krill oil (NKO®), two sources of omega-3s, on symptoms. premenstrual syndrome and menstrual pain22. Krill oil has helped relieve symptoms of dysmenorrhea and the emotional manifestations associated with PMS more effectively than fish oil. The participants were also instructed to follow a diet consisting of 40% carbohydrates, 40% protein and 20% fat, changes that alone may have a positive effect against the disease. premenstrual syndrome, according to dietitian Hélène Baribeau.

 Light therapy. Daily exposure to white artificial light could alleviate symptoms of depression related to PMS, but this remains uncertain, according to the findings of a systematic review23 published in 2005. As the considered trials presented conflicting results, the authors conclude that there is currently no evidence that light therapy decreases the depressive symptoms associated with this disorder.

 Qi emission. According to two randomized clinical trials, Qi emission from a Qigong master alleviates physical and emotional symptoms of PMS24,25. One of the studies involved 36 women24. Compared to the women participating in the control treatment, those who received the Qi reported a significant decrease in their negative feelings, pain, fluid retention and other symptoms related to PMS.

 reflexology. As part of a randomized trial carried out on 35 women suffering from premenstrual syndrome, a first group received a real reflexology treatment (feet, hands and ears) and the other, placebo reflexology.26. Various symptoms (breast tenderness, abdominal swelling, menstrual pain, anxiety, depression and irritability) in the women in the reflexology group were significantly alleviated compared to the control group. These effects lasted for up to 2 months after stopping treatment.

 Vitamin B6. According to a summary of 25 studies on the effect of vitamin B6 in PMS, the methodological quality of the research leaves much to be desired29. Nevertheless, the authors conclude that 50 mg to 100 mg taken daily can provide relief in women. However, they do not recommend taking higher doses. A preliminary test indicates that a combination of vitamin B6 (50 mg) and magnesium (200 mg) may be more effective than either treatment taken alone20.

 Vitamin E.. Most of the trials have focused on the relief of period pain. However, according to 2 studies, taking vitamin E supplements may also help relieve symptoms of PMS34,35.

 Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis). The authors of a review published in 1996 examined 7 double-blind placebo-controlled trials and concluded that evening primrose oil had no effect in relieving symptoms of PMS. Indeed, the methodology of most of these trials left something to be desired and the two best-controlled studies gave negative results.21.

 Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa). Native women used the roots of this plant to alleviate their period problems. Commission E endorses its use, among other things, to alleviate symptoms of PMS and period pain.

Dosage

See the sheet Black cohosh.

 Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Traditionally, licorice has been used to treat various disorders associated with the menstrual cycle. It would particularly help alleviate the symptoms of PMS. The glycyrrhizin it contains would lower estrogen levels while increasing progesterone levels37.

Dosage

Start taking the dried root or a non-deglycyrrhizinated extract 2 weeks before your period. For more information, see our Liquorice sheet.

 Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Le Xiao Yao Wan, a traditional preparation, is used to treat several health problems in women: premenstrual syndrome, migraine, digestion problems, menstrual cycle disruption. See the sheet dedicated to it to know its effects from an energetic point of view, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (in our section Chinese Pharmacopoeia).