Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on premenstrual syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Mohammadi MM, et al.
Published in Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research
Methodology
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials of omega-3 fatty acids for premenstrual syndrome; study quality assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias tool, effects pooled with a random-effects model as standardised mean differences, with meta-regression on age and intervention duration.
Key Findings
This meta-analysis of randomised trials found omega-3 fatty acids reduced the severity of premenstrual syndrome with a standardised mean difference of -0.968 (95% CI -1.471 to -0.464), though heterogeneity between studies was very high (I-squared 89.11%, p < 0.001). Both somatic symptoms (SMD -0.800, 95% CI -1.126 to -0.474) and psychological symptoms (SMD -0.373, 95% CI -0.686 to -0.061) improved. Meta-regression showed greater benefit with older age (beta -0.150, p < 0.001) and with longer treatment duration (beta -0.579, p < 0.001). The authors urge caution given the heterogeneity.
Conclusions
Omega-3 fatty acids reduced PMS severity, but substantial heterogeneity across trials tempers confidence in the effect.
Limitations
Heterogeneity of nearly 90% means the pooled estimate should be treated with caution, the included trials were small and doses and durations varied widely, and the abstract does not report the total number of participants.
Supplements Studied
Omega-3 fatty acids could reduce the severity of PMS. However, we should caution in the conclusion in affirming the beneficial effects of n-3 PUFAs on PMS, since the heterogeneity is evident in the analysis.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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