May 18, 2005 – Vitamin E, taken in the form of supplements, would significantly relieve menstrual pain. This is indicated by the results of a trial conducted by the team of DD Saeideh Ziaei at Tarbiat Modarres University (Iran)1.
The Iranian gynecologist has been working for several years on the therapeutic use of vitamin E to relieve the symptoms of dysmenorrhea. For the purposes of the present study (double-blind with placebo), the results of which are reported in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 278 young girls, aged 15 to 17, suffering from dysmenorrhea, took either vitamin E or a placebo during four consecutive menstrual cycles. Treatment, which consisted of 200 IU (134 mg) of vitamin E twice a day, began two days before your expected period and continued for five days. Participants were allowed to take a pain reliever (ibuprofen) as needed.
Girls who took vitamin E reported that their period cramps lasted an average of 1.6 hours per cycle, compared to 17 hours in those in the placebo group. The intensity of cramping was also less in those taking vitamin E.
Only 4% of those taking vitamin E used pain relievers during their period, compared to 89% of those in the placebo group. The researchers also report that the blood flow was less in young girls who took vitamin E than in those in the placebo group. All of these beneficial effects were evident from the second menstrual cycle.
According to DD Ziaei, vitamin E would have the effect of countering the production of prostaglandin, a substance which is associated with menstrual cramps because it stimulates uterine contractions, which have the function of expelling menstrual blood. These cramps (dysmenorrhea) affect about 40% of women.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to Reuters Health
1. Ziaei S, Zakeri M, Kazemnejad A. A randomized controlled trial of vitamin E in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea.BJOG. 2005 Apr; 112 (4): 466-9.
