SEARCH      
 



Premenstrual Syndrome

Read on for detailed information about how various oils may help alleviate symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome.

Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil (EPO) has been used widely in the treatment of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) as an alternative to pharmaceutical treatments such as antidepressants, anxiolytics and hormonal treatments, all of which cause notable side-effects (1). However, the use of EPO and other natural or alternative remedies has been largely motivated by anecdotal, rather than scientific, evidence (1). That being said, there are medical hypotheses that substantiate the use of EPO and its main constituent, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), for treatment of PMS.

A leading hypothesis of how EPO and GLA may be of benefit to PMS is related to the effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), a downstream metabolite of GLA, on the female hormone prolactin. The symptoms of PMS are similar to the symptoms of excessive prolactin levels - including fluid retention, breast tenderness, irritability and depression; subjects supplemented with prolactin have been found to exhibit these exact symptoms (2). Although most women with PMS have normal prolactin levels, some have elevated levels. Regardless of prolactin level, it is thought that women with PMS have an increased sensitivity to this hormone, which would cause the same effect as an actual increase in the hormone levels (2, 3). It is proposed that this increased sensitivity to prolactin is the result of a relative insufficiency of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) which is derived from the n-6 essential fatty acid (EFA), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) (1, 3), which is derived from GLA. It is thought that a defect in delta-6 desaturase activity may lead to a relative deficiency of GLA and DGLA in PMS patients, leading to reduced PGE1, increased prolactin sensitivity, and thus the manifestation of hyper-prolactin symptoms (2, 4, 5, 6, 7).

Clinical trials of EPO in PMS have produced mixed results. Two randomized controlled clinical trials reported no significant improvements after 4-6g/day EPO (5, 8); one of these studies only followed patients for 4 weeks (8) while the other followed patients for 6 menstrual cycles (5). Yet, another randomized trial (7) found significant improvements in depression and overall PMS score after 3g/day EPO for 4 menstrual cycles, and an uncontrolled clinical trial (6) reported a 70% reduction in PMS score. However, it should be noted that placebo effects in these studies were very large, so limited confidence can be placed in drawing formal conclusions from uncontrolled trials.

The information presented here is for educational purposes only and is not intended as curative or prescriptive advice.

Bibliography
1. Bendich A. The potential for dietary supplements to reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. J Am Coll Nutr 2000;19(1):3-12.
2. Horrobin DF. The role of essential fatty acids and prostaglandins in the premenstrual syndrome. J Reprod Med 1983;28(7):465-8.
3. Brush MG, Watson SJ, Horrobin DF, Manku MS. Abnormal essential fatty acid levels in plasma of women with premenstrual syndrome. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1984;150(4):363-6.
4. Budeiri D, Li Wan Po A, Dornan JC. Is evening primrose oil of value in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome? Control Clin Trials 1996;17(1):60-8.
5. Khoo SK, Munro C, Battistutta D. Evening primrose oil and treatment of premenstrual syndrome. Med J Aust 1990;153(4):189-92.
6. Larsson B, Jonasson A, Fianu S. Evening Primrose Oil in the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome - A Pilot Study. Current Therapeutic Research 1989;46(1):58-63.
7. Puolakka J, Makarainen L, Viinikka L, Ylikorkala O. Biochemical and clinical effects of treating the premenstrual syndrome with prostaglandin synthesis precursors. J Reprod Med 1985;30(3):149-53.
8. Collins A, Cerin A, Coleman G, Landgren BM. Essential fatty acids in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. Obstet Gynecol 1993;81(1):93-8.

 
People  ·  Product  ·  Process  ·  Planet  ·  Health  ·  Recipes  ·  FAQs
Press and Media  ·  Store Locator  ·  Contact Us  ·  Privacy Policy