Supplements for the menstrual cycle are often studied in the context of correcting deficiencies and/or reducing the symptoms of conditions like premenstrual syndrome, endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, and polycystic ovary syndrome. For example, vitamin D deficiency is associated with dysmenorrhea and abnormal menstrual bleeding patterns, in which case supplementing with vitamin D to correct the deficiency could be beneficial.[1][2] Additional supplements that might improve menstrual-related symptoms (with varying levels of efficacy) include chaste tree, magnesium, vitamin B6 and B1, ginger, calcium, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, and inositol.[3][4][5][6][7][8][2]
Another supplement that is often studied in menstruating people is iron because blood loss via menstruation can reduce iron levels in the body, especially if the bleeding is heavy.[1] Iron may also be lost during exercise.[9] Because iron is used to make red blood cells, a deficiency in iron can lead to anemia, which means that the blood cannot carry enough oxygen throughout the body. Iron supplementation is an effective treatment for iron deficiency.[10][11]
Before beginning any supplements, it is important for menstrual-related symptoms to be evaluated by a clinician. Some supplements, like iron, can cause damage if excessive amounts accumulate in the body. Such accumulation is rarely the result of excessive oral intake and is instead secondary to other underlying medical problems, both congenital and acquired. [12]
References
- ^Jain V, Chodankar RR, Maybin JA, Critchley HODUterine bleeding: how understanding endometrial physiology underpins menstrual health.Nat Rev Endocrinol.(2022-May)
- ^Rahnemaei FA, Gholamrezaei A, Afrakhteh M, Zayeri F, Vafa MR, Rashidi A, Ozgoli GVitamin D supplementation for primary dysmenorrhea: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.Obstet Gynecol Sci.(2021-Jul)
- ^Pattanittum P, Kunyanone N, Brown J, Sangkomkamhang US, Barnes J, Seyfoddin V, Marjoribanks JDietary supplements for dysmenorrhoea.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2016-Mar-22)
- ^Whelan AM, Jurgens TM, Naylor HHerbs, vitamins and minerals in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review.Can J Clin Pharmacol.(2009)
- ^Verkaik S, Kamperman AM, van Westrhenen R, Schulte PFJThe treatment of premenstrual syndrome with preparations of Vitex agnus castus: a systematic review and meta-analysisAm J Obstet Gynecol.(2017 Aug)
- ^Gianfranco C, Vittorio U, Silvia B, Francesco DMyo-inositol in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorderHum Psychopharmacol.(2011 Oct)
- ^James L Nodler, Amy D DiVasta, Allison F Vitonis, Sarah Karevicius, Maggie Malsch, Vishnudas Sarda, Ayotunde Fadayomi, Holly R Harris, Stacey A MissmerSupplementation with vitamin D or ω-3 fatty acids in adolescent girls and young women with endometriosis (SAGE): a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trialAm J Clin Nutr.(2020 Jul 1)
- ^Bahrami A, Avan A, Sadeghnia HR, Esmaeili H, Tayefi M, Ghasemi F, Nejati Salehkhani F, Arabpour-Dahoue M, Rastgar-Moghadam A, Ferns GA, Bahrami-Taghanaki H, Ghayour-Mobarhan MHigh dose vitamin D supplementation can improve menstrual problems, dysmenorrhea, and premenstrual syndrome in adolescentsGynecol Endocrinol.(2018 Aug)
- ^Attwell C, Dugan C, McKay AKA, Nicholas J, Hopper L, Peeling PDietary Iron and the Elite Dancer.Nutrients.(2022-May-05)
- ^Moisidis-Tesch CM, Shulman LPIron Deficiency in Women's Health: New Insights into Diagnosis and Treatment.Adv Ther.(2022-Jun)
- ^Petraglia F, Dolmans MMIron deficiency anemia: Impact on women's reproductive health.Fertil Steril.(2022-Oct)
- ^Gattermann N, Muckenthaler MU, Kulozik AE, Metzgeroth G, Hastka JThe Evaluation of Iron Deficiency and Iron Overload.Dtsch Arztebl Int.(2021-Dec-10)