Vitamin E and Menstrual Pain
Research suggests that vitamin E may help ease menstrual cramps by influencing prostaglandins—hormone-like substances that can trigger uterine contractions and discomfort. Two randomized, placebo-controlled trials published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology evaluated vitamin E for primary dysmenorrhea.
What the Studies Found
In the first trial (2001), 100 high school students aged 16–18 who experienced mild to severe menstrual pain were randomized to receive either vitamin E or a placebo. The students took vitamin E beginning two days before menstruation and continued for three days after onset. At the two-month follow-up, both groups reported less pain overall, but those taking vitamin E experienced slightly greater symptom relief.
A second randomized controlled trial (2005) reached similar conclusions, again noting modest reductions in menstrual pain among participants receiving vitamin E compared with placebo.
While results were not dramatic, these consistent findings suggest that vitamin E may offer supportive benefits for some individuals dealing with primary dysmenorrhea. More research with larger sample sizes would help clarify its role.
References
- Ziaei S, Faghihzadeh S, Sohrabyand F. A randomised placebo-controlled trial to determine the effect of vitamin E in treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. BJOG. 2001;108:1181–1183.
- Ziaei S, Zakeri M, Kazemnejad A. A randomised controlled trial of vitamin E in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea. BJOG. 2005;112(4):466–469.
