The effects of garlic supplementation on premenstrual symptoms Original paper

Nonpharmacological interventions such as exercising, decreasing caffeine intake, and increasing calcium intake have been found to alleviate premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Some herbal preparations that include Vitex agnus-castus and Hypericum perforatum, or St. John's Wort, have also been shown to be effective in treating this condition, but little is known about the effects of garlic supplementation on PMS severity.

In this randomized controlled trial, 129 participants with self-reported PMS (20 years of age on average) took either a garlic supplement (400 mg, 1.1 mg of allicin) or a placebo daily across three consecutive menstrual cycles. The primary outcome was PMS severity measured using a self-report questionnaire (the Iranian version of the premenstrual symptoms screening tools [PSST]).

At baseline, both groups had similar premenstrual symptoms. Throughout the trial, both groups saw improved scores for mood, behavioral, and physical symptoms and the degree to which symptoms interfered with daily life. However, these changes were greater in the garlic group (changes in the total symptom score: −22.9 in the garlic group and −9.07 in the placebo group).

It appears that the table outlining the adverse effects that occurred during the trial reversed the placebo and garlic groups. The narrative reports that the garlic group experienced acne, itching, and flushing more than the placebo group, whereas the placebo group experienced more bloating and spotting.

The participants' PMS diagnoses and symptom severity were self-assessed, which may increase the risk of bias in the data.