Crocus sativus L. (saffron) in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial
Agha-Hosseini M, Kashani L, Aleyaseen A, Ghoreishi A, Rahmanpour H, Zarrinara AR, Akhondzadeh S
Published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Methodology
Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled parallel trial across two menstrual cycles; saffron 30 mg/day versus placebo; Daily Symptom Report as primary outcome and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale as secondary.
Key Findings
Women aged 20-45 with at least 6 months of premenstrual symptoms were randomised to saffron 30 mg/day (15 mg twice daily) or placebo across two menstrual cycles. Saffron produced a significant improvement over placebo on the primary outcome, the Total Premenstrual Daily Symptoms score, in both treated cycles. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores also improved significantly, and the adverse effect profile was described as tolerable.
Conclusions
Saffron 30 mg/day was more effective than placebo for premenstrual syndrome symptoms over two cycles in a small trial.
Limitations
Single-country trial of 50 women over only two cycles; the abstract reports significance without effect sizes, and long-term efficacy and safety were not assessed.
Supplements Studied
The results of this study indicate the efficacy of C. sativus L. in the treatment of PMS.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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