gamma-linolenic-acid and Premenstrual-Syndrome

Topics: Anti-Anxiety Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Bromocriptine; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Danazol; Evidence-Based Medicine; Exercise Therapy; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Ovariectomy; Plant Oils; Premenstrual Syndrome; Progesterone; Progestins; Pyridoxine; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Spironolactone; Vitamin E

A systematic literature search of clinical trials of evening primrose oil (EPO) for the treatment of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) was carried out with a view to performing a meta-analysis. Only seven placebo-controlled trials were found but only in five trials was randomization clearly indicated. Inconsistent scoring and response criteria made statistical pooling and hence a rigorous meta-analysis inappropriate. The two most well-controlled studies failed to show any beneficial effects for EPO, although because the trials were relatively small modest effects cannot be excluded. Nonetheless, on current evidence EPO is of little value in the management of premenstrual syndrome.

Topics: Clinical Trials as Topic; Cross-Over Studies; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Luteal Phase; Oenothera biennis; Placebos; Plant Oils; Premenstrual Syndrome

Women diagnosed as suffering from premenstrual syndrome and symptom free controls were compared on hormonal parameters, glucose tolerance, mineralocorticoids, cholesterols, triglycerides, apolipoprotein (a), magnesium and calcium in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. The effect of treatment with essential fatty acids on the biochemical variables was also evaluated in a randomized, double-blind crossover design. The results showed that the hormonal and biochemical profiles of women with PMS and symptom free controls were markedly similar, except for aldosterone which was lower in the follicular and luteal phases and cholesterol which was higher in the follicular phase in women with PMS. No effects of treatment with essential fatty acids were found for any of the biochemical variables studied.

Topics: Adult; Cholesterol; Double-Blind Method; Electrolytes; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; Follicular Phase; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Glucose Tolerance Test; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Hypolipidemic Agents; Linoleic Acids; Lipoprotein(a); Luteal Phase; Mineralocorticoids; Oenothera biennis; Plant Oils; Premenstrual Syndrome; Severity of Illness Index; Triglycerides

To determine whether essential fatty acids are effective in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).. In a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial, we studied 27 women diagnosed with PMS over ten menstrual cycles and 22 symptom-free controls over one cycle. The first cycle was used for diagnostic assessment. For the women with PMS, placebos were administered during the second cycle. This was followed by randomization to four cycles of active treatment with essential fatty acids and four cycles of placebo, with a crossover after completion of the fourth cycle. Assessment of symptoms and diagnosis of PMS were based on daily self-ratings made by the women throughout the study.. Treatment with essential fatty acids did not reduce premenstrual symptoms or symptom cyclicity. However, time had a significant effect on a number of symptoms, indicating either a placebo effect or an effect from participation in the study. Women with PMS had a significantly higher frequency of dysmenorrhea and familial PMS than did the symptom-free controls.. Treatment with essential fatty acids is ineffective therapy for PMS. The improvement we observed over time can be ascribed to either a placebo effect or participation in the study.

Topics: Adult; Affect; Double-Blind Method; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Middle Aged; Oenothera biennis; Plant Oils; Premenstrual Syndrome

The therapeutic effectiveness of evening primrose oil (Efamol, Vita-Glow) in the relief of 10 symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) as well as menstrual symptoms was studied in 38 women. The prospective trial was randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled and was crossed-over after three cycles. Although the results showed an improvement in symptoms of PMS during the trial, no significant differences in the scoring between the active and placebo groups were found over six cycles. No "carry-over" effect of active medication was observed; the beneficial effect on all symptoms (psychological, fluid retention, breast) was rapid, the scores decreasing in the first cycle but increasing slightly at the change-over period after the third cycle, irrespective of whether the active or placebo medication was next given. These findings indicate that the improvement experienced by these women with moderate PMS was solely a placebo effect.

Topics: Adult; Double-Blind Method; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; Follow-Up Studies; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Placebo Effect; Plant Oils; Premenstrual Syndrome; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Statistics as Topic

The clinical and biochemical effects of a prostaglandin synthesis precursor (Efamol) containing linoleic acid and its metabolite, gamma-linolenic acid, were studied in 30 women with severe, incapacitating premenstrual syndrome. Efamol treatment alleviated the premenstrual symptoms in general and depression especially better than did a placebo. The capacity of platelets to release thromboxane B2 during spontaneous clotting was decreased in patients undergoing Efamol treatment (141 +/- 59 ng/ml, mean +/- SD) as compared to those undergoing placebo treatment (186 +/- 44 ng/ml, p less than 0.01) and control subjects (176 +/- 40 ng/ml, n = 25, p less than 0.05). No changes were found in plasma 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha or in FSH, LH, prolactin, progesterone, estradiol and testosterone. The data suggest that prostaglandins might play a role in the pathophysiology of the premenstrual syndrome.

Topics: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; Fatty Acids, Essential; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Plant Oils; Premenstrual Syndrome; Syndrome; Thromboxane B2

Many of the features of the premenstrual syndrome are similar to the effects produced by the injection of prolactin. Some women with the premenstrual syndrome have elevated prolactin levels, but in most the prolactin concentrations are normal. It is possible that women with the syndrome are abnormally sensitive to normal amounts of prolactin. There is evidence that prostaglandin E1, derived from dietary essential fatty acids, is able to attenuate the biologic actions of prolactin and that in the absence of prostaglandin E1 prolactin has exaggerated effects. Attempts were made, therefore, to treat women who had the premenstrual syndrome with gamma-linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid precursor of prostaglandin E1. Gamma-linolenic acid is found in human, but not cows', milk and in evening primrose oil, the preparation used in these studies. Three double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, one large open study on women who had failed other kinds of therapy for the premenstrual syndrome and one large open study on new patients all demonstrated that evening primrose oil is a highly effective treatment for the depression and irritability, the breast pain and tenderness, and the fluid retention associated with the premenstrual syndrome. Nutrients known to increase the conversion of essential fatty acids to prostaglandin E1 include magnesium, pyridoxine, zinc, niacin and ascorbic acid. The clinical success obtained with some of these nutrients may in part relate to their effects on essential fatty acid metabolism.

Topics: Clinical Trials as Topic; Double-Blind Method; Fatty Acids, Essential; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Plant Oils; Premenstrual Syndrome; Prostaglandins

Topics: Calcium; Crocus; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Hypericum; Linoleic Acids; Magnesium; Oenothera biennis; Phytotherapy; Plant Oils; Plants, Medicinal; Premenstrual Syndrome; Pyridoxine; Vitex

Topics: Adult; Alprostadil; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Premenstrual Syndrome; Prolactin; Treatment Outcome

To examine the rates of premenstrual symptoms in Australian patients, the treatments they had tried for such symptoms, the perceived effectiveness of these treatments, the proportion of women who reported that they had sought help for premenstrual symptoms and whether women perceived the need for additional help in dealing with premenstrual symptoms. Characteristics associated with higher symptom levels and desire for help were examined.. A cross-sectional survey of 310 general practices patients aged 18-45 years and who had reported having had a menstrual period in the previous three months.. Between 11% and 32% of women reported severe or extreme changes during the premenstrual phase on each of the 10 symptoms in the short Premenstrual Assessment Form, with the highest rates for affective symptoms. Eighty-five percent of women reported that they had tried treatments for premenstrual symptoms, and many reported having tried multiple treatments. The most commonly tried treatments included pain killers rest, drinking more fluid and exercise, which had been tried by at least one-third of women. When women were asked to nominate up to three treatments they had tried and found most effective, the most commonly mentioned were dietary changes, evening primrose oil, vitamins (including B6) and exercise. Approximately 50% of the women had sought help, most commonly from a general practitioner and 45% reported that they would like more help dealing with premenstrual symptoms. Higher overall symptom scores were associated with a history of endometriosis, a lower education level, not taking oral contraceptives, taking evening primrose oil and taking vitamin B6.. There is a need to further refine, through evaluation of different approaches, programs and resources, ways to effectively help women who report premenstrual symptoms and would like help to deal with them.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Analgesics; Australia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Exercise; Family Practice; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; Fluid Therapy; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Middle Aged; Oenothera biennis; Plant Oils; Premenstrual Syndrome; Pyridoxine; Rest; Vitamins

Topics: Anti-Anxiety Agents; Calcium; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; Diuretics; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Hormones; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Minerals; Oenothera biennis; Plant Oils; Premenstrual Syndrome; Psychotherapy; Vitamins

Topics: Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cross-Over Studies; Dermatitis, Atopic; Dermatologic Agents; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Hypolipidemic Agents; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Plant Oils; Premenstrual Syndrome

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Breast Diseases; Bromocriptine; Danazol; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Goserelin; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Periodicity; Plant Oils; Premenstrual Syndrome; Tamoxifen

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Clinical Trials as Topic; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Placebos; Plant Oils; Premenstrual Syndrome

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Fatty Acids, Essential; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Plant Oils; Premenstrual Syndrome