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Condition

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome in which the body seems unusually sensitive to normal hormone shifts, bringing mood swings, irritability and physical discomfort before a period. The evidence is strongest for calcium, where trials found mood and physical symptoms eased, with vitamin B6 and vitex backed by moderate evidence. For depression symptoms specifically, though, inositol showed no clear difference across five small studies.

Sources: PMID 9731851

Supplements studied
3
Graded outcomes
2
Trials
4
People studied
129

Evidence by supplement

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

3 supplements

Chaste tree: outcomes studied for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Depression Symptoms

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect41 people
PMS SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)9 studies41 people
Inositol: outcomes studied for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Depression Symptoms

No effect

NoneNo effect5 studies71 people
PMS SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)1 study82 people

Studies that measured pms symptoms

Chromium: outcomes studied for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
PMS SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)1 study6 people

Studies that measured pms symptoms

Key findings

  • Depression SymptomsChaste treeImproves (the measure goes down)

The Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Supportive Care protocol

2 primary supplements · 7 supporting supplements

  • Calcium1,000–1,200 mg daily in divided doses
  • Vitamin B650–100 mg daily (do not exceed 100 mg long-term)

See the full protocol

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Studies cited

100 studies from PubMed

  1. Effects of acute chromium supplementation on postprandial metabolism in healthy young menJ Am Coll Nutr, 2004 · PMID 15310739
  2. The effects of inorganic chromium and brewer's yeast on glucose tolerance, plasma lipids, and plasma chromium in elderly subjectsAm J Clin Nutr, 1985 · PMID 3898805
  3. Effects of resistance training and chromium picolinate on body composition and skeletal muscle in older menJ Appl Physiol, 1985 · PMID 9887110
  4. Efficacy of Vitex agnus castus L. extract Ze 440 in patients with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)Arch Gynecol Obstet · PMID 11129515
  5. Efficacy and safety of Vitex agnus-castus extract for treatment of premenstrual syndrome in Japanese patients: a prospective, open-label studyAdv Ther · PMID 24604699
  6. Dose-dependent efficacy of the Vitex agnus castus extract Ze 440 in patients suffering from premenstrual syndromePhytomedicine · PMID 23022391
  7. Use of Vitex agnus-castus in migrainous women with premenstrual syndrome: an open-label clinical observationActa Neurol Belg · PMID 22791378
  8. Evaluating therapeutic effect in symptoms of moderate-to-severe premenstrual syndrome with Vitex agnus castus (BNO 1095) in Chinese womenAust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · PMID 20522079
  9. Therapeutic effect of Vitex agnus castus in patients with premenstrual syndromeActa Med Iran · PMID 22359078
  10. Fluoxetine versus Vitex agnus castus extract in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorderHum Psychopharmacol · PMID 12672170
  11. Treatment for premenstrual syndrome with Vitex agnus castus: A prospective, randomized, multi-center placebo controlled study in ChinaMaturitas · PMID 19269753
  12. Effects of Vitex agnus and Flaxseed on cyclic mastalgia: A randomized controlled trialComplement Ther Med · PMID 26860808
  13. Effects of chromium supplementation on glycogen synthesis after high-intensity exerciseMed Sci Sports Exerc · PMID 17146316
  14. Effects of short-term chromium supplementation on insulin sensitivity and body composition in overweight children: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studyJ Nutr Biochem · PMID 21216583
  15. Chromium picolinate supplementation in women: effects on body weight, composition, and iron statusNutrition · PMID 17291720
  16. Effect of resistance training with or without chromium picolinate supplementation on glucose metabolism in older men and womenMetabolism · PMID 10337851
  17. A pilot study of chromium picolinate for weight lossJ Altern Complement Med · PMID 20192914
  18. Chromium supplementation and polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysisJ Trace Elem Med Biol · PMID 28595797
  19. The Effects of Chromium Supplementation on Endocrine Profiles, Biomarkers of Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled TrialBiol Trace Elem Res · PMID 26613790
  20. Chromium picolinate improves insulin sensitivity in obese subjects with polycystic ovary syndromeFertil Steril · PMID 16730719
  21. The effect of chromium intake on oxidative stress parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J Trace Elem Med Biol · PMID 34710707
  22. Effect of chromium supplementation on hs-CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 as risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: A meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.Complement Ther Clin Pract · PMID 33321447
  23. Chromium Supplementation and the Effects on Metabolic Status in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled TrialAnn Nutr Metab · PMID 26279073
  24. Chromium picolinate supplementation attenuates body weight gain and increases insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetesDiabetes Care · PMID 16873787
  25. Chromium treatment has no effect in patients with type 2 diabetes in a Western population: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialDiabetes Care · PMID 17303791
  26. Effects of chromium brewer's yeast supplementation on body mass, blood carbohydrates, and lipids and minerals in type 2 diabetic patientsBiol Trace Elem Res · PMID 21170603
  27. The influence of chromium chloride-containing milk to glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialMetabolism · PMID 16784965
  28. Antioxidant effects and insulin resistance improvement of chromium combined with vitamin C and e supplementation for type 2 diabetes mellitusJ Clin Biochem Nutr · PMID 19015754
  29. Chromium supplementation does not improve glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, or lipid profile: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of supplementation in subjects with impaired glucose toleranceDiabetes Care · PMID 15735214
  30. Characterization of the metabolic and physiologic response to chromium supplementation in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitusMetabolism · PMID 20022616
  31. Chromium supplementation shortens QTc interval duration in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusAm Heart J · PMID 15990745
  32. Role of chromium supplementation in Indians with type 2 diabetes mellitusJ Nutr Biochem · PMID 12550067
  33. Chromium treatment has no effect in patients with poorly controlled, insulin-treated type 2 diabetes in an obese Western population: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialDiabetes Care · PMID 16505499
  34. Influence of chromium-enriched yeast on blood glucose and insulin variables, blood lipids, and markers of oxidative stress in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitusBiol Trace Elem Res · PMID 16632892
  35. Elevated intakes of supplemental chromium improve glucose and insulin variables in individuals with type 2 diabetesDiabetes · PMID 9356027
  36. Beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on glucose, HbA1C and lipid variables in individuals with newly onset type-2 diabetesJ Trace Elem Med Biol · PMID 21570271
  37. The effects of inorganic chromium and brewer's yeast supplementation on glucose tolerance, serum lipids and drug dosage in individuals with type 2 diabetesSaudi Med J · PMID 11376359
  38. Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Blood Glucose and Lipid Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysisBiol Trace Elem Res · PMID 33783683
  39. Beneficial effects of oral chromium picolinate supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical studyJ Trace Elem Med Biol · PMID 26302914
  40. Potential antioxidant effects of zinc and chromium supplementation in people with type 2 diabetes mellitusJ Am Coll Nutr · PMID 11444416
  41. Antioxidant effects of chromium supplementation with type 2 diabetes mellitus and euglycemic subjectsJ Agric Food Chem · PMID 14995150
  42. Effects of resistive training and chromium picolinate on body composition and skeletal muscle size in older womenInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 12187613
  43. The effect of chromium picolinate on muscular strength and body composition in women athletesJ Strength Cond Res · PMID 11710399
  44. Effects of chromium and resistive training on muscle strength and body compositionMed Sci Sports Exerc · PMID 8775366
  45. Chromium picolinate effects on body composition and muscular performance in wrestlersMed Sci Sports Exerc · PMID 9861607
  46. The effects of chromium and copper supplementation on mitogen-stimulated T cell proliferation in hypercholesterolaemic postmenopausal womenClin Exp Immunol · PMID 11966762
  47. Effects of niacin-bound chromium and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on the lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic subjects: a pilot studyJ Med · PMID 11508317
  48. Lack of effect of chromium supplementation on mental state and body weight in people with schizophreniaJ Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 16974208
  49. Effects of carbohydrate and chromium ingestion during intermittent high-intensity exercise to fatigueInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 11099374
  50. A 2-year, open-label pilot study of adjunctive chromium in patients with treatment-resistant rapid-cycling bipolar disorderJ Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 17224731
  51. Effect of supplementation with chromium picolinate on antibody titers to 5-hydroxymethyl uracilEur J Epidemiol · PMID 9794131
  52. Chromium picolinate supplementation for overweight or obese adultsCochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 24293292
  53. In patients with HIV-infection, chromium supplementation improves insulin resistance and other metabolic abnormalities: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trialCurr HIV Res · PMID 20163347
  54. Chromium picolinate for insulin resistance in subjects with HIV disease: a pilot studyDiabetes Obes Metab · PMID 18190429
  55. Effects of chromium picolinate on food intake and satietyDiabetes Technol Ther · PMID 18715218
  56. Chromium supplementation for menstrual cycle-related mood symptomsJ Diet Suppl · PMID 24237190
  57. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory trial of chromium picolinate in atypical depression: effect on carbohydrate cravingJ Psychiatr Pract · PMID 16184071
  58. Effectiveness of chromium in atypical depression: a placebo-controlled trialBiol Psychiatry · PMID 12559660
  59. Chromium picolinate does not improve key features of metabolic syndrome in obese nondiabetic adultsMetab Syndr Relat Disord · PMID 19422140
  60. Chromium effects on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in persons at risk for diabetes mellitusEndocr Pract · PMID 20634174
  61. Improved cognitive-cerebral function in older adults with chromium supplementationNutr Neurosci · PMID 20423560
  62. Chromium potentiation of antidepressant pharmacotherapy for dysthymic disorder in 5 patientsJ Clin Psychiatry · PMID 10221284
  63. Effects of Chromium Supplementation on Lipid Profile: an Umbrella of Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Biol Trace Elem Res · PMID 36376714
  64. A double-blind, randomized pilot trial of chromium picolinate for binge eating disorder: results of the Binge Eating and Chromium (BEACh) studyJ Psychosom Res · PMID 23751236
  65. Resistive training and chromium picolinate: effects on inositols and liver and kidney functions in older adultsInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 15467101
  66. The combined therapy with myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol reduces the risk of metabolic disease in PCOS overweight patients compared to myo-inositol supplementation aloneEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci · PMID 22774396
  67. Effects of inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci · PMID 15206484
  68. Differential insulin response to myo-inositol administration in obese polycystic ovary syndrome patientsGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 22612517
  69. Inositol administration reduces oxidative stress in erythrocytes of patients with polycystic ovary syndromeEur J Endocrinol · PMID 22223702
  70. Effects of d-chiro-inositol in lean women with the polycystic ovary syndromeEndocr Pract · PMID 15251831
  71. Insulin sensitiser agents alone and in co-treatment with r-FSH for ovulation induction in PCOS womenGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 20222840
  72. Efficacy of myo-inositol in the treatment of cutaneous disorders in young women with polycystic ovary syndromeGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 19551544
  73. Metabolic and hormonal effects of myo-inositol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a double-blind trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci · PMID 19499845
  74. Myo-inositol administration positively affects hyperinsulinemia and hormonal parameters in overweight patients with polycystic ovary syndromeGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 18335328
  75. Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Indian Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Pharmaceuticals · PMID 40430499
  76. Inositol is an effective and safe treatment in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Reprod Biol Endocrinol · PMID 36703143
  77. Effects of myo-inositol supplementation on oocyte's quality in PCOS patients: a double blind trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci · PMID 21744744
  78. Myo-inositol rather than D-chiro-inositol is able to improve oocyte quality in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. A prospective, controlled, randomized trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci · PMID 21608442
  79. Myo-inositol may prevent gestational diabetes in PCOS womenGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 22122627
  80. Inositol for subfertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 30570133
  81. Myo-inositol treatment increases serum plasmalogens and decreases small dense LDL, particularly in hyperlipidemic subjects with metabolic syndromeJ Nutr Sci Vitaminol · PMID 18635905
  82. One-year effects of myo-inositol supplementation in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndromeClimacteric · PMID 22192068
  83. A phase I study of myo-inositol for lung cancer chemopreventionCancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev · PMID 16896044
  84. Treatment of hirsutism with myo-inositol: a prospective clinical studyReprod Biomed Online · PMID 18854115
  85. Inositol for depressive disorders.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 15106232
  86. Double-blind, controlled trial of inositol treatment of depressionAm J Psychiatry · PMID 7726322
  87. Treatment-resistant bipolar depression: a STEP-BD equipoise randomized effectiveness trial of antidepressant augmentation with lamotrigine, inositol, or risperidoneAm J Psychiatry · PMID 16449473
  88. Inositol addition does not improve depression in SSRI treatment failuresJ Neural Transm · PMID 10907738
  89. Effect of inositol on bulimia nervosa and binge eatingInt J Eat Disord · PMID 11262515
  90. Inositol Nutritional Supplementation for the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Nutrients · PMID 35889788
  91. The effect of myoinositol supplementation on insulin resistance in patients with gestational diabetesDiabet Med · PMID 21414183
  92. Dietary supplementation with myo-inositol in women during pregnancy for treating gestational diabetes.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 27602537
  93. A phase 2 randomized trial of ELND005, scyllo-inositol, in mild to moderate Alzheimer diseaseNeurology · PMID 21917766
  94. Inositol treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a double blind, cross-over placebo controlled trialProg Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry · PMID 8843494
  95. Lack of effect of inositol treatment in chronic schizophreniaBiol Psychiatry · PMID 8329500
  96. CSF inositol in schizophrenia and high-dose inositol treatment of schizophreniaEur Neuropsychopharmacol · PMID 7894259
  97. Double-blind, controlled, crossover trial of inositol versus fluvoxamine for the treatment of panic disorderJ Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 11386498
  98. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of inositol treatment for panic disorderAm J Psychiatry · PMID 7793450
  99. Acute inositol does not attenuate m-CPP-induced anxiety, mydriasis and endocrine effects in panic disorderJ Psychiatr Res · PMID 9352475
  100. Myo-inositol in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorderHum Psychopharmacol · PMID 22031267