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Dr. Grey AI

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. Chromium in PCOS: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisClin Endocrinol, 2019 · PMID 30545267
  2. Chromium Supplementation and Metabolic Diseases: Evidence from Clinical TrialsJ Trace Elem Med Biol, 2018 · PMID 29691313
  3. Effects of Chromium Supplementation on Body Composition: A Systematic ReviewBiol Trace Elem Res, 2018 · PMID 30127633
  4. Safety of Chromium Supplementation: Evidence from Clinical StudiesBiol Trace Elem Res, 2018 · PMID 29851414
  5. Myo-Inositol in Patients with PCOS: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisReprod Biomed Online, 2018 · PMID 30157465
  6. Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol in PCOS Treatment: A Meta-AnalysisEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2018 · PMID 29386119
  7. Inositol and Insulin Resistance: Mechanisms and Clinical EvidenceBiochimie, 2018 · PMID 30107589
  8. Inositol and Depression: A Systematic ReviewEur Neuropsychopharmacol, 2018 · PMID 30315869
  9. Effects of Chromium Supplementation on Glucose Metabolism and Lipids: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisDiabetes Care, 2017 · PMID 28425499
  10. Chromium and Insulin Sensitivity: A Review of MechanismsJ Trace Elem Med Biol, 2017 · PMID 29166934
  11. Chromium Supplementation in Depression and Mood Disorders: A ReviewNutr Neurosci, 2017 · PMID 28212054
  12. Chromium Supplementation and Glycemic Control in Diabetes: An Updated ReviewIndian J Endocrinol Metab, 2017 · PMID 28586871
  13. Inositol and PCOS: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical EvidenceGynecol Endocrinol, 2017 · PMID 28983169
  14. Inositol in Anxiety Disorders: A Systematic ReviewJ Affect Disord, 2017 · PMID 28467512
  15. Myo-Inositol in Gestational Diabetes: A Meta-AnalysisDiabetes Res Clin Pract, 2017 · PMID 29215127
  16. Inositol and Fertility: A Comprehensive ReviewEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2017 · PMID 28631564
  17. Safety and Efficacy of Inositol in Clinical Practice: A ReviewGynecol Endocrinol, 2017 · PMID 29071296
  18. Chromium Picolinate in Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized TrialsNutr Res, 2016 · PMID 27472929
  19. Chromium Effects on Blood Pressure: A Meta-AnalysisJ Hypertens, 2016 · PMID 27725073
  20. Inositol Effects on Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic ReviewExpert Rev Clin Pharmacol, 2016 · PMID 27729235
  21. Effects of acute chromium supplementation on postprandial metabolism in healthy young menJ Am Coll Nutr, 2004 · PMID 15310739
  22. 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
  23. Effects of resistance training and chromium picolinate on body composition and skeletal muscle in older menJ Appl Physiol, 1985 · PMID 9887110
  24. Efficacy of Vitex agnus castus L. extract Ze 440 in patients with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)Arch Gynecol Obstet · PMID 11129515
  25. Efficacy and safety of Vitex agnus-castus extract for treatment of premenstrual syndrome in Japanese patients: a prospective, open-label studyAdv Ther · PMID 24604699
  26. Dose-dependent efficacy of the Vitex agnus castus extract Ze 440 in patients suffering from premenstrual syndromePhytomedicine · PMID 23022391
  27. Use of Vitex agnus-castus in migrainous women with premenstrual syndrome: an open-label clinical observationActa Neurol Belg · PMID 22791378
  28. 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
  29. Therapeutic effect of Vitex agnus castus in patients with premenstrual syndromeActa Med Iran · PMID 22359078
  30. Fluoxetine versus Vitex agnus castus extract in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorderHum Psychopharmacol · PMID 12672170
  31. Treatment for premenstrual syndrome with Vitex agnus castus: A prospective, randomized, multi-center placebo controlled study in ChinaMaturitas · PMID 19269753
  32. Effects of Vitex agnus and Flaxseed on cyclic mastalgia: A randomized controlled trialComplement Ther Med · PMID 26860808
  33. Effects of chromium supplementation on glycogen synthesis after high-intensity exerciseMed Sci Sports Exerc · PMID 17146316
  34. 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
  35. Chromium picolinate supplementation in women: effects on body weight, composition, and iron statusNutrition · PMID 17291720
  36. Effect of resistance training with or without chromium picolinate supplementation on glucose metabolism in older men and womenMetabolism · PMID 10337851
  37. A pilot study of chromium picolinate for weight lossJ Altern Complement Med · PMID 20192914
  38. Chromium supplementation and polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysisJ Trace Elem Med Biol · PMID 28595797
  39. 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
  40. Chromium picolinate improves insulin sensitivity in obese subjects with polycystic ovary syndromeFertil Steril · PMID 16730719
  41. The effect of chromium intake on oxidative stress parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J Trace Elem Med Biol · PMID 34710707
  42. 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
  43. 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
  44. Chromium picolinate supplementation attenuates body weight gain and increases insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetesDiabetes Care · PMID 16873787
  45. 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
  46. 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
  47. 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
  48. 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
  49. 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
  50. Characterization of the metabolic and physiologic response to chromium supplementation in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitusMetabolism · PMID 20022616
  51. Chromium supplementation shortens QTc interval duration in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusAm Heart J · PMID 15990745
  52. Role of chromium supplementation in Indians with type 2 diabetes mellitusJ Nutr Biochem · PMID 12550067
  53. 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
  54. 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
  55. Elevated intakes of supplemental chromium improve glucose and insulin variables in individuals with type 2 diabetesDiabetes · PMID 9356027
  56. 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
  57. 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
  58. 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
  59. 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
  60. Potential antioxidant effects of zinc and chromium supplementation in people with type 2 diabetes mellitusJ Am Coll Nutr · PMID 11444416
  61. Antioxidant effects of chromium supplementation with type 2 diabetes mellitus and euglycemic subjectsJ Agric Food Chem · PMID 14995150
  62. Effects of resistive training and chromium picolinate on body composition and skeletal muscle size in older womenInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 12187613
  63. The effect of chromium picolinate on muscular strength and body composition in women athletesJ Strength Cond Res · PMID 11710399
  64. Effects of chromium and resistive training on muscle strength and body compositionMed Sci Sports Exerc · PMID 8775366
  65. Chromium picolinate effects on body composition and muscular performance in wrestlersMed Sci Sports Exerc · PMID 9861607
  66. The effects of chromium and copper supplementation on mitogen-stimulated T cell proliferation in hypercholesterolaemic postmenopausal womenClin Exp Immunol · PMID 11966762
  67. Effects of niacin-bound chromium and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on the lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic subjects: a pilot studyJ Med · PMID 11508317
  68. Lack of effect of chromium supplementation on mental state and body weight in people with schizophreniaJ Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 16974208
  69. Effects of carbohydrate and chromium ingestion during intermittent high-intensity exercise to fatigueInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 11099374
  70. A 2-year, open-label pilot study of adjunctive chromium in patients with treatment-resistant rapid-cycling bipolar disorderJ Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 17224731
  71. Effect of supplementation with chromium picolinate on antibody titers to 5-hydroxymethyl uracilEur J Epidemiol · PMID 9794131
  72. Chromium picolinate supplementation for overweight or obese adultsCochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 24293292
  73. 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
  74. Chromium picolinate for insulin resistance in subjects with HIV disease: a pilot studyDiabetes Obes Metab · PMID 18190429
  75. Effects of chromium picolinate on food intake and satietyDiabetes Technol Ther · PMID 18715218
  76. Chromium supplementation for menstrual cycle-related mood symptomsJ Diet Suppl · PMID 24237190
  77. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory trial of chromium picolinate in atypical depression: effect on carbohydrate cravingJ Psychiatr Pract · PMID 16184071
  78. Effectiveness of chromium in atypical depression: a placebo-controlled trialBiol Psychiatry · PMID 12559660
  79. Chromium picolinate does not improve key features of metabolic syndrome in obese nondiabetic adultsMetab Syndr Relat Disord · PMID 19422140
  80. Chromium effects on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in persons at risk for diabetes mellitusEndocr Pract · PMID 20634174
  81. Improved cognitive-cerebral function in older adults with chromium supplementationNutr Neurosci · PMID 20423560
  82. Chromium potentiation of antidepressant pharmacotherapy for dysthymic disorder in 5 patientsJ Clin Psychiatry · PMID 10221284
  83. Effects of Chromium Supplementation on Lipid Profile: an Umbrella of Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Biol Trace Elem Res · PMID 36376714
  84. 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
  85. Resistive training and chromium picolinate: effects on inositols and liver and kidney functions in older adultsInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 15467101
  86. 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
  87. 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
  88. Differential insulin response to myo-inositol administration in obese polycystic ovary syndrome patientsGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 22612517
  89. Inositol administration reduces oxidative stress in erythrocytes of patients with polycystic ovary syndromeEur J Endocrinol · PMID 22223702
  90. Effects of d-chiro-inositol in lean women with the polycystic ovary syndromeEndocr Pract · PMID 15251831
  91. Insulin sensitiser agents alone and in co-treatment with r-FSH for ovulation induction in PCOS womenGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 20222840
  92. Efficacy of myo-inositol in the treatment of cutaneous disorders in young women with polycystic ovary syndromeGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 19551544
  93. Metabolic and hormonal effects of myo-inositol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a double-blind trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci · PMID 19499845
  94. Myo-inositol administration positively affects hyperinsulinemia and hormonal parameters in overweight patients with polycystic ovary syndromeGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 18335328
  95. Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Indian Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Pharmaceuticals · PMID 40430499
  96. 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
  97. Effects of myo-inositol supplementation on oocyte's quality in PCOS patients: a double blind trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci · PMID 21744744
  98. 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
  99. Myo-inositol may prevent gestational diabetes in PCOS womenGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 22122627
  100. Inositol for subfertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 30570133