Research Publications on Vitamin B6 for Menstrual Health
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) therapy for premenstrual syndrome; International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 2007; Link
In a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial with 160 university students experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS), 94 participants fully complied with the trial's protocol. They were divided into two groups: one received pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and the other a placebo, both manufactured to be indistinguishable in shape, color, and taste. Over two menstrual cycles, after an initial three cycles of symptom recording, participants took an 80 mg daily tablet of either pyridoxine or placebo and continued to log their symptoms. The study found no significant difference in the number of symptoms or the severity of PMS between the two groups at the outset. However, after treatment, both groups saw a decrease in symptoms such as moodiness, irritability, anxiety, depression, and others, with anxiety showing the most significant reduction. The decrease in symptoms was more substantial in the pyridoxine group, especially for psychiatric symptoms, suggesting that pyridoxine could be an effective treatment for the psychiatric symptoms of PMS.
Efficacy of vitamin B-6 in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: systematic review; BMJ, 1999; Link
This study systematically reviews randomized placebo-controlled trials to assess Vitamin B-6's effectiveness in managing premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Analyzing data from nine trials involving 940 patients, it found that Vitamin B-6 significantly improved overall PMS symptoms, with an odds ratio of 2.32 (95% CI, 1.95 to 2.54) compared to placebo. Additionally, Vitamin B-6 showed benefits in alleviating premenstrual depressive symptoms, with an odds ratio of 1.69 (95% CI, 1.39 to 2.06) across four trials with 541 patients. However, the study notes the overall low quality of the included trials and suggests that Vitamin B-6 doses up to 100 mg/day may help treat PMS symptoms and depression, though more high-quality research is needed for a definitive conclusion.
A Pilot Randomized Treatment-Controlled Trial Comparing Vitamin B6 with Broad-Spectrum Micronutrients for Premenstrual Syndrome; Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020; Link
In a study comparing the effectiveness of a broad-spectrum micronutrient formula to Vitamin B6 for treating PMS, 78 women participated in a three-cycle treatment following a two-cycle baseline. Both treatments significantly reduced PMS symptoms, with 72% of the micronutrient group and 60% of the B6 group showing full remission. The micronutrient formula also improved quality of life more than B6, particularly for participants with severe symptoms indicative of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), although these findings need further research for confirmation. No serious adverse effects were reported from either treatment.