Kendall, K. E., & Schnurr, P. P. (1987). The effects of vitamin B6 supplementation on premenstrual symptoms. Obstetrics and gynecology, 70(2), 145-149.
Kendall KE, Schnurr PP. The effects of vitamin B6 supplementation on premenstrual symptoms. Obstet Gynecol. 1987;70(2):145-149.
Kendall, K. E., and P. P. Schnurr. "The effects of vitamin B6 supplementation on premenstrual symptoms." Obstetrics and gynecology, vol. 70, no. 2, 1987, pp. 145-149.
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Abstract
A double-blind controlled study of the effects of vitamin B6 supplementation on premenstrual symptoms was conducted. Fifty-five women who reported moderate to severe premenstrual mood changes participated in the study. Symptoms were monitored prospectively through daily home record-keeping over a one-month baseline period followed by two months of treatment. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive daily supplements of 150 mg of vitamin B6 or placebo over the entire two-month treatment period. Analysis of covariance suggested that even though vitamin B6 may improve premenstrual symptoms related to autonomic reactions (eg, dizziness and vomiting) and behavioral changes (eg, poor performance and decreased social activities), a significant amount of physical and affective symptomatology remained during the premenstrual phase. In light of recently reported, potentially toxic effects of low doses of vitamin B6, our results call for caution in using this therapy for premenstrual symptoms.
Fathizadeh N et al., 2010·Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research
Since premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can cause suicide, dissociation of familial relationships, abnormalities in the daily work and inter-personal relationships in the patients, and bring about direct and indirect economic burden for the society, it is important to resolve the problems of the patients. The objective of the current study is to determine the effect of magnesium (Mg), combination of vitamin B6 and Mg, and the placebo on the severity of PMS in the patients affected by the disease referred to the health centers of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences during 2009-2010. The participants were randomly assigned to two intervention groups and one control group. The study was carried out for four months in ten selected health centers in Isfahan. To confirm the PMS diagnosis in patients, they were asked to fill out the PMS daily symptom record form for two months and then, when the diagnosis was confirmed, the participants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups of the study (Mg, Mg plus vitamin B6, and placebo). Medical intervention was carried out in two menstrual cycles and the results of pre- and post-test were compared. After the intervention, the mean score of PMS significantly decreased in all the three groups (p < 0.05). The decrease was the greatest in the Mg plus vitamin B6 group, and was the least in the placebo group. The findings indicated that Mg plus vitamin B6 and placebo has the greatest and the least effect on the mean score of PMS, respectively.
In a double-blind, randomized dose-response study, 75 women with benign breast disease were administered a written questionnaire in which they scored the severity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms before and after two months of treatment with placebo or alpha-tocopherol (150, 300, or 600 IU/day). Controlling for age and pretreatment scores, alpha-tocopherol had a significantly greater effect than placebo, improving three of the four classes of PMS symptoms. These findings suggest that vitamin E supplementation may be of value in women with severe PMS symptoms.
The premenstrual symptom complex many women experience in a moderate to severe form can be divided into four subgroups. Because there is more than one syndrome and nervous tension is one of the most common symptoms, the term premenstrual tension syndromes (PMTS) is used. The most common subgroup, PMT-A, consists of premenstrual anxiety, irritability and nervous tension, sometimes expressed in behavior patterns detrimental to self, family and society. Elevated blood estrogen and low progesterone have been observed in this subgroup. Administration of vitamin B6 at doses of 200-800 mg/day reduces blood estrogen, increases progesterone and results in improved symptoms under double-blind conditions. Women in this subgroup consume an excessive amount of dairy products and refined sugar, and progesterone may be of value in them. The second-most-common subgroup, PMT-H, is associated with symptoms of water and salt retention, abdominal bloating, mastalgia and weight gain. The severe form of PMT-H is associated with elevated serum aldosterone. Vitamin B6 at high dosage suppresses aldosterone and results in diuresis and clinical improvement. Vitamin E helps the breast symptoms. Methylxanthines and nicotine should be curtailed and sodium limited to 3 gm/day. PMT-C is characterized by premenstrual craving for sweets, increased appetite and indulgence in eating refined sugar followed by palpitation, fatigue, fainting spells, headache and sometimes the shakes. PMT-C patients have increased carbohydrate tolerance and low red-cell magnesium. Adequate magnesium replacement results in improved glucose tolerance tests and decreased PMT-C symptoms. Deficiency of the prostaglandin PGE1 may also be involved in PMT-C. PMT-D is the least common but most dangerous because suicide is most frequent in this subgroup. The symptoms are depression, withdrawal, insomnia, forgetfulness and confusion. In ten PMT-D patients the mean blood estrogen was lower and the mean blood progesterone higher than normal during the midluteal phase. Elevated adrenal androgens are observed in some hirsute PMT-D patients. Two PMT-D patients with normal blood progesterone and estrogens had high lead levels in hair tissue and chronic lead intoxication. This subgroups needs careful medical attention when the symptoms are severe. Therapy should be individualized according to the results of the evaluation.
Tully L et al., 2020·Obstet Gynecol Sci·Free full text on PubMed Central
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects millions of women. While over-the-counter products have helped with the physical symptoms of PMS, emotional symptoms have been less well supported. The objective of this trial was to measure the effect of an oxaloacetate/vitamin C combination on the major emotional symptoms of PMS, including depression, anxiety, perceived stress, aggression, and suicidal ideation. Forty-eight women experiencing PMS completed a baseline survey comprising the Beck's Depression Inventory, Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Test, and Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. After baseline measurements, participants were randomly assigned to take either 2 capsules of 100 mg oxaloacetate/150 mg ascorbic acid, or 2 capsules of rice flour (placebo) for their entire menstrual cycle. At menstruation, the women completed the 4 surveys again. The women then switched capsules in a cross-over design and continued the study for an additional menstrual cycle. The final assessment was repeated at menstruation. Statistical analysis of the 4 surveys was performed to examine efficacy. Oxaloacetate/vitamin C supplementation during PMS significantly improved depression, perceived stress, anxiety, aggression, and suicidal ideation. The mean improvement in depression was 54.1%, 35.8% for perceived stress, 51.43% for generalized anxiety, and 17.8% for aggression. Suicidal ideation was reduced by 47.9%. All results were highly significant. A combination of oxaloacetate and vitamin C supplementation helped to alleviate depression, anxiety, perceived stress, aggression, and suicidal ideation symptoms associated with PMS. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03509714.
Therapeutics › Supplements and Botanicals › Vitamins and Minerals · Menstrual Cycle › Premenstrual Disorders › Premenstrual Syndrome Treatment · Lifestyle and Environment › Nutrition and Metabolic Health › Dietary Patterns
PMID 3299182 3299182 Kendall et al. 1987, Kendall 1987
Cite this article
Kendall, K. E., & Schnurr, P. P. (1987). The effects of vitamin B6 supplementation on premenstrual symptoms. Obstetrics and gynecology, 70(2), 145-149.
Kendall KE, Schnurr PP. The effects of vitamin B6 supplementation on premenstrual symptoms. Obstet Gynecol. 1987;70(2):145-149.
Kendall, K. E., and P. P. Schnurr. "The effects of vitamin B6 supplementation on premenstrual symptoms." Obstetrics and gynecology, vol. 70, no. 2, 1987, pp. 145-149.