PMS: How can my premenstrual syndrome be treated?

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of vitamin B-6 in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. Design. Systematic review of published and unpublished randomised placebo controlled trials of the effectiveness of vitamin B-6 in the management of premenstrual syndrome. Subjects. Nine published trials representing 940 patients with premenstrual syndrome. Main outcome measures. Proportion of women whose overall premenstrual symptoms showed an improvement over placebo. A secondary analysis was performed on the proportion of women whose premenstrual depressive symptoms showed an improvement over placebo.

Results:

Odds ratio relative to placebo for an improvement in over-all premenstrual symptoms was 2.32 (95% confidence interval 1.95 to 2.54). Odds ratio relative to placebo for an improvement in depressive symptoms was 1.69 (1.39 to 2.06) from four trials representing 541 patients.

Conclusion:

Conclusions are limited by the low quality of most of the trials included. Results suggest that doses of vitamin B-6 up to 100 mg/day are likely to be of benefit in treating premenstrual symptoms and premenstrual depression.

Please click on the required question.

• Premenstrual Syndrome - PMS What is The Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
• 2 How prevalent is PMS?
• 3 How can we tell if I have PMS?
• 4 How can my PMS be evaluated?
• 5 How can cyclical breast pain (mastalgia) be treated?
• 6 How can my PMS be treated?
• 7 What is the place of progestogens and progesterone in the management of PMS?
• 8 Could suppressing my menstrual cycle reduce my PMS problems?
• 9  Could a diuretic help my PMS?
• 10 Is there a place for anti-depressants or anxiolytic drugs in the management of PMS?
• 11 Is there a place for removing my ovaries in the management of PMS?
• 12 What can be done about my decreased libido (sex drive)
• 12A What is the place of Viagra (sildenafil citrate) in sexual dysfunction in women?
• 13 How is PMS treatment monitored?
• 14 How long should PMS treatment be taken?
• 15 What is the chronic fatigue syndrome?
• 16 What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• 17 Where can I obtain more information?
• 18 Support Groups.

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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.

I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.