Premenstrual Syndrome

 

Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking:

Turmeric [1, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that turmeric can help in the treatment of PMS. More research is needed.)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Pine Bark Extract [1, 25, 26, 27]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: weakly in favor  (Early studies indicate potential for Pine bark extract in the treatment of PMS, but more clinical studies need to be done)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Oleander Leaf (Nerium Oleander) [1, 21, 22, 23, 24]:

WARNING: This plant is toxic! Not to be ingested. Causes nausea, appetite loss, vomiting, drowsiness, bloody diarrhoea, seizures, irregular heartbeat, heart failure, respiratory depression and death. The plant and any of its extracts should be strictly avoided, especially by children and pregnant women.

Recommendation: Strongly against (There is insufficient evidence to prove the effectiveness of Oleander in PMS. Please note, this plant and its extracts are poisonous, even when ingested in dry form. Many people have died of heart or respiratory failure after eating parts of the plant or its extracts.)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Mugwort (Artemisa Vulgaris) [1, 18, 19, 20]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It has been proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has been discounted due life-threatening side effects

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that mugwart helps to treat symptoms of PMS. More research is needed.)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) [1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly against (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Goldenseal helps to treat PMS. More studies are needed. Goldenseal may produce toxic effects, including depression, constipation, rapid heartbeat, stomach pain, mouth ulcers and vomiting.)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Flaxseed Oil  [1, 8, 9, 10]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: no recommendation  (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that flaxseed oil helps to treat PMS)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Evening Primrose Oil  [1, 5, 6, 7]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: no recommendation  (Available evidence does not support claims that primrose oil can help with PMS. Studies have shown conflicting results)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla) [3, 4]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: weakly against (Available evidence does not support claims that Chamomile helps treat PMS. In addition, allergic reactions and side effects like cramps, itching, rashes and difficulty breathing can be relatively common)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Cats Claw (Uncaria Tomentosa) [1, 2]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: no recomendation (insufficient evidence to support claims that Cats Claw can help to treat occupational PMS)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Red Pepper (Capsaicin):

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: no recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that red peppers help to treat or prevent PMS)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Calcium Gluconate:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a preventative or supportive management, not as a treatment.

Recommendation: strongly in favor (Calcium supplements have been shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome)

Grade of Evidence: moderate quality of evidence

Calcium Supplements:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a preventative or supportive management, not as a treatment.

Recommendation: strongly in favor (Calcium supplements have been shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome)

Grade of Evidence: moderate quality of evidence

Black Cohosh (cimicifuga Racemosa):

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: weakly against (Available evidence does not support claims that Black Cohosh helps to treat symptoms of PMS in any way. Studies have yielded mixed results)

Grade of Evidence: moderate quality of evidence

Therapeutic Touch:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: no recommendation (There are no reliable studies done to support claims that therapeutic touch may help with premenstrual syndrome)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Reflexology:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: no recommendation (trials performed with Reflexology on women with showed no effect in helping with premenstrual symptoms)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Neural Therapy:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: no recommendation (insuffient reliable evidence exists on the effect of Neural Therapy on premenstrual syndrome)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Aromatherapy:

Recommendation: no recommendation (early trials done show no support of claims that aromatherapy may help with premenstrual syndrome)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41):

Recommendation: Strong recommendation (safe to use)

Grade of Evidence: High quality of evidence

 

 

* www.gradeworkinggroup.org

Summary References

Treatments:

1. Ades T, Alteri R, Gansler T, Yeargin P, "Complete Guide to Complimentary & Alternative Cancer Therapies", American Cancer Society, Atlanta USA, 2009

2. http://www.nutrasanus.com/cats-claw.html

3. http://www.abchomeopathy.com/r.php/Cham

4. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-chamomile.html

5. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/evening-primrose

6. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/eveningprimrose/

7. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4395826.stm

8. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/flaxseed

9. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-flaxseed.html

10. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/flaxseed/index.htm

11. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/goldenseal

12. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/goldenseal/

13. Tierra Michael (1998): The Way of Herbs. New York, Pocket Books

14. Grieve M. (1971): A Modern Herbal. New York, Dover Publications, Inc

15. Mills S. and Bone K. (2000): Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Philadelphia, Churchill Livingstone

16. Tice Raymond (1997): Goldenseal and Two of its constituent alkaloids: berberine and hydrastine Research Triangle Park, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, in Seiger E: Review of Toxilogical Literature

17. http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/ellingwood/hydrastis.html

18. Anliker MD, Borelli S, Wüthrich B. Occupational protein contact dermatitis from spices in a butcher: a new presentation of the mugwort-spice syndrome. Contact Dermatitis. 2002;46:72-74.

19. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/mugwort

20. Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004.

21. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/oleander-leaf

22. http://www.nerium.com/index-2.html

23. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/EnforcementActivitiesbyFDA/WarningLettersandNoticeofViolationLetterstoPharmaceuticalCompanies/UCM165406.pdf

24. http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/plant/pim366.htm

25. http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00214032

26. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/pine-bark-extract

27. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-pycnogenol.html

28. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/turmeric

29. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-turmeric.html

30. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/turmeric/index.htm

31. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1668932.stm

32. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/10/28/curry-kills-cancer-cells-and-other-health-benefits-of-the-nations-favourite-dish-115875-21779950/

33. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=turmeric

34. Wuttke, W; Jarry H, Christoffel V, Spengler B, Seidlová-Wuttke D. (May 2003). "Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)--pharmacology and clinical indications". Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 10 (4): 348–57. PMID 12809367. 

35. Schellenberg, R. (20 January 2001). "Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study". British Medical Journal 322 (7279): 134–7. doi:10.1136/bmj.322.7279.134. PMC 26589. PMID 11159568.

36. Berger, D; Schaffner W, Schrader E, Meier B, Brattström A (November 2000). "Efficacy of Vitex agnus castus L. extract Ze 440 in patients with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)". Arch Gynecol Obstet. 264 (3): 150–3. doi:10.1007/s004040000123. PMID 11129515.

37. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21171936

38. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20522079

39. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20687778

 

40. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19469189

41. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11129515

 

 

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