Does evening primrose oil improve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome or menopause?

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    Last Updated: April 23, 2025

    Evening primrose oil (EPO) has been suggested as a natural remedy for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause, but research has shown inconsistent results, indicating that it does not improve PMS symptoms or menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. There is insufficient evidence to support its effectiveness for other menopause-related issues such as low mood or poor sleep.

    EPO has been recommended as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments affecting women; however, research has produced inconsistent and unconvincing results.

    It has been hypothesized that premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may be related to changes in fatty acid metabolism leading to reduced levels of prostaglandin E1, and in theory, EPO could provide GLA as a precursor for prostaglandin E1 synthesis.[1] Despite a proposed mechanism of action, EPO does not seem to improve symptoms of PMS, including mood disturbances and breast pain.[2][3][4] In menopause, EPO has not been found to have an effect on hot flashes or night sweats, and there is insufficient research to draw conclusions about whether EPO might improve other symptoms of menopause, such as low mood or poor sleep.[5]

    Does evening primrose oil improve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome or menopause? - Examine