Evening primrose oil
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
There is very little evidence for the efficacy of evening primrose oil in the treatment of PMS symptoms. The available evidence is limited by poorly designed trials with few subjects (1, 2,3). Despite these limitations, the evidence does not support the recommendation of evening primrose oil in the management of PMS. Three of four RCTs have concluded that there appears to be no benefit with the use of evening primrose oil (1,2,3). The fourth trial detected a reduction in depression; however, the results should be deemed inconclusive due to the large number of methodological flaws of the study (4). Although there is a lack of evidence supporting its use evening primrose oil does not seem to be associated with any serious side effects (1,2,3). If a patient insists on using a natural health product to treat their symptoms there appears to be no harm in using evening primrose; however, the current evidence suggests evening primrose oil is ineffective in the treatment of PMS symptoms.
References:
1 Natural Standard: The authority on integrative medicine. Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis L.). Professional Monograph. http://www.naturalstandard.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/databases/herbssupplements/primrose.asp. Accessed July 16, 2013.
2. Stevinson C and Ernst E. Complementary/alternative therapies for premenstrual syndrome: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. AJOG 2001; 185(1): 227-234.
3. Whelan AM, Jurgens TM and Naylor H. Herbs, vitamins and minerals in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review. Can J Clin Pharmacol 2009; 16(3):e407-e429.
4. Puolakka J, Makarainen L, Viinikka L and Ylikorkala O. Biochemical and clinical effects of treating the premenstrual syndrome with prostaglandin synthesis precursors. The Journal of Reproductive Medicine. 1985; 30(3): 149-153.
There is very little evidence for the efficacy of evening primrose oil in the treatment of PMS symptoms. The available evidence is limited by poorly designed trials with few subjects (1, 2,3). Despite these limitations, the evidence does not support the recommendation of evening primrose oil in the management of PMS. Three of four RCTs have concluded that there appears to be no benefit with the use of evening primrose oil (1,2,3). The fourth trial detected a reduction in depression; however, the results should be deemed inconclusive due to the large number of methodological flaws of the study (4). Although there is a lack of evidence supporting its use evening primrose oil does not seem to be associated with any serious side effects (1,2,3). If a patient insists on using a natural health product to treat their symptoms there appears to be no harm in using evening primrose; however, the current evidence suggests evening primrose oil is ineffective in the treatment of PMS symptoms.
References:
1 Natural Standard: The authority on integrative medicine. Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis L.). Professional Monograph. http://www.naturalstandard.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/databases/herbssupplements/primrose.asp. Accessed July 16, 2013.
2. Stevinson C and Ernst E. Complementary/alternative therapies for premenstrual syndrome: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. AJOG 2001; 185(1): 227-234.
3. Whelan AM, Jurgens TM and Naylor H. Herbs, vitamins and minerals in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review. Can J Clin Pharmacol 2009; 16(3):e407-e429.
4. Puolakka J, Makarainen L, Viinikka L and Ylikorkala O. Biochemical and clinical effects of treating the premenstrual syndrome with prostaglandin synthesis precursors. The Journal of Reproductive Medicine. 1985; 30(3): 149-153.