Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 48, Issue 2 , Pages 124-129, June 2009

Effects of Calcium Supplement Therapy in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome

  • Zinat Ghanbari

      Affiliations

    • ValiAsr Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    • ,
  • Fedieh Haghollahi

      Affiliations

    • ValiAsr Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    • ,
  • Mamak Shariat

      Affiliations

    • Maternal-Fetal-Neonatal Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Dr Mamak Shariat, Maternal-Fetal-Neonatal Health Research Center, ValiAsr Hospital, Keshavarz Boulevard, Tehran 14194, Iran
    • ,
  • Abbas Rahimi Foroshani

      Affiliations

    • Epidemiology Group, Health Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    • ,
  • Maryam Ashrafi

      Affiliations

    • Baghiatallah Hospital, Tehran, Iran

Accepted 10 September 2008.

Article Outline

Summary 

Objective

Scientific evidence suggests that cyclic fluctuations in a variety of nutrients, especially calcium, may help to explain some features of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). We determined the efficacy of calcium supplementation in women suffering from PMS.

Materials and Methods

A double-blind clinical trial was designed to evaluate the effect of calcium supplement therapy on PMS symptoms. The study groups were selected from young female college students, based on PMS criteria. The subjects were divided in two groups; one group received placebo and the other received 500 mg of calcium carbonate twice daily for 3 months. The severity and intensity of symptoms, including early fatigability, changes in appetite, and depression, were evaluated using a standard questionnaire. Symptoms were compared before and after treatment.

Results

The mean age was 21.4 ± 3.6 years. Early tiredness, appetite changes, and depressive symptoms were significantly improved in the group receiving calcium treatment compared with the placebo group.

Conclusion

Our results showed that calcium supplements reduced early fatigability, changes in appetite, and depression in women with PMS.

Key Words:  calcium supplementation , female students , premenstrual syndrome

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PII: S1028-4559(09)60271-0

doi:10.1016/S1028-4559(09)60271-0

Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 48, Issue 2 , Pages 124-129, June 2009

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