| Supplement |
Amount |
Why |
|
Magnesium
|
360 mg daily |
[3 stars]
Supplementing with magnesium may help keep uterine muscles relaxed. |
|
|
|
Fish Oil
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[2 stars]
A fish oil supplement containing EPA and DHA may help prevent menstrual syndromes. |
|
|
|
Krill Oil
|
2 grams daily for one month; after that, 2 grams per day beginning eight days prior to menstruation and continuing for two days after the start |
[2 stars]
Women who took krill oil had improved abdominal pain and reported using fewer pain relievers for menstrual pain than those who took fish oil in one study.
|
|
|
|
Pycnogenol
|
60 mg per day
|
[2 stars]
Preliminary research and double-blind research has reported that pycnogenol may reduce severe abdominal and back pain during menses.
|
|
|
|
Vitamin B3
|
200 mg daily throughout menstrual cycle; for cramps: 100 mg every two to three hours
|
[2 stars]
The niacin form of vitamin B3 has been reported to be effective in relieving menstrual cramps in 87% of a group of women supplementing with it throughout the menstrual cycle. |
|
|
|
Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, and Rutin
|
200 mg niacin daily, 300 mg vitamin C daily, and 60 mg rutin daily througout menstrual cycle; for cramps: 100 mg niacin every two to three hours |
[2 stars]
Supplementing with a combination of vitamin B3, vitamin C, and the flavonoid rutin resulted in a 90% effectiveness for relieving menstrual cramps in one study. |
|
|
|
Vitamin E
|
400 to 600 IU of vitamin E a day for five days, beginning two days before menstruation |
[2 stars]
Taking vitamin E beginning two days before menstruation may help prevent severe pain. |
|
|
|
Açaí
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Açaí is a traditional remedy for dysmenorrhea, and there is preliminary evidence that some anthocyanins found in açaí may help with dysmenorrhea symptoms. |
|
|
|
Black Cohosh
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Black cohosh has a history as a folk medicine for relieving menstrual cramps. |
|
|
|
Blue Cohosh
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Blue cohosh has been used traditionally for easing painful menstrual periods. Women of childbearing age using this herb should stop using it as soon as they become pregnant. |
|
|
|
Calcium
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Muscles that are calcium-deficient tend to be hyperactive and therefore might be more likely to cramp. Calcium may help prevent menstrual cramps by maintaining normal muscle tone. |
|
|
|
Corydalis
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
A constituent of corydalis called tetrahydropalmatine appears to heave pain-relieving and sedative effects. It has shown to be effective for painful menstruation. |
|
|
|
Cramp Bark
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Cramp bark has been a favorite traditional herb for menstrual cramps. It may help ease severe cramps that are associated with nausea, vomiting, and sweaty chills. |
|
|
|
Dong Quai
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Dong quai has been used either alone or in combination with other traditional Chinese medicine herbs to help relieve painful menstrual cramps. |
|
|
|
False Unicorn
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
False unicorn was used in the Native American tradition for a large number of women’s health conditions, including painful menstruation. |
|
|
|
Ginger
|
250 mg four times per day, beginning at the start of menstruation and continuing for three days
|
[1 star]
In a double-blind trial, ginger powder was as effective as anti-inflammatory medication (mefenamic acid and ibuprofen) in relieving symptoms of dysmenorrhea.
|
|
|
|
Peony
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
An herbal formulation known as toki-shakuyaku-san combines peony root with other herbs and has been found to reduce cramping and pain associated with dysmenorrhea. |
|
|
|
Progesterone
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Some practitioners report success using topical progesterone cream for dysmenorrhea. |
|
|
|
Vervain
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Vervain is a traditional herb for dysmenorrhea. |
|
|
|
Vitamin B1
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Vitamin B1 appears to relieve dysmenorrheal in cases of vitamin B1 deficiency. It is not known whether supplementing would relieve the condition in women who are not deficient. |
|
|
|
Vitamin D
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
In a double-blind trial, women with dysmenorrhea received a placebo or a single administration of a large amount of vitamin D, which appeared to significantly diminish menstrual pain. This should only be done under doctor supervision.
|
|
|
|
Vitex
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Clinical reports from Germany have suggested that vitex may help relieve different menstrual abnormalities associated with premenstrual syndrome, including dysmenorrhea. |
|
|
