Written by Jessica Patella, ND. In this study of 85 female students diagnosed with PMS, those who took 40 mg of Ginkgo biloba 3 times per day from day 16 of their cycle to day 5 of the next cycle, had a decrease of 23.69% in overall symptoms of PMS.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of physical, behavioral and psychological symptoms that occur one to two weeks before menstruation. (1,3) The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists estimates that 85% of women experience PMS during their monthly cycle. (3) Recent research showed Ginkgo biloba reduced the severity of PMS symptoms. (1)
Ginkgo biloba L. is a native plant of China and has been used as medicine in China for over 1000 years (1). Ginkgo biloba is typically used for failing memory and age-related dementias due to poor blood flow to the brain. Herbal supplements are becoming increasingly popular for treatment of PMS due to their relatively low incidence of side effects (1).
Research published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (1) included 85 female students in their early 20s with a confirmed diagnosis of PMS. Each participant filled out a daily symptom questionnaire containing 19 symptoms of PMS, which included tension, labile mood (uncontrolled, changeable mood), irritability, anxiety, depression, fatigue, headache, forgetfulness, palpitation, decreased libido, increased appetite, suicidal thoughts, edema, breast tenderness, sleeping disorders, craving for sweets, bloating, decreased concentration and crying spells. (1,3. Each participant reported at least five of the symptoms during the last week of their menstrual cycle to be included in the study. (1)
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either Ginkgo biloba L. or placebo from day 16 of their cycle to day 5 of the next cycle, for two consecutive cycles (1). Participants took 40 mg of Ginkgo biloba three times daily (coated tablets containing a 4:1 ethanol extract; totaling 120 mg) or placebo three times daily (1).
The severity of the symptoms decreased, as follows:
Overall Symptoms
In Ginkgo biloba group – from 34.80% to 11.11% (p<0.001)
In placebo group – from 34.38% to 25.64% (p<0.001)
Psychological Symptoms
In Ginkgo biloba group – from 38.41% to 10.89% (p<0.001)
In placebo group – from 37.79% to 26.18% (p<0.001)
Physical Symptoms
In Ginkgo biloba group – from 27.11% to 10.81% (p<0.001)
In placebo group – from 26.93% to 22.70% (p<0.006)
Only three cases of side effects were reported in the Ginkgo biloba group, which included one case of nausea and two cases of increased desire for sleep; otherwise 93% reported no side effects (1).
In conclusion, Ginkgo biloba decreased the severity of symptoms related to PMS. This study is one of the first to show the benefits of Ginkgo biloba on PMS. There is only one other placebo-controlled study looking at Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of PMS, which also showed positive results (2). Further research with more participants, in a wider age-range, over a longer period of time still needs to be conducted.
Source: Ozgoli, Giti, et al. “A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of Ginkgo biloba L. in treatment of premenstrual syndrome.” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 15.8 (2009): 845-851.
© 2012 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers.
Posted September 12, 2011.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
-
- Ozgoli G, et al. A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Ginkgo biloba L. in treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome. J Alt and Comp Med. 2009; 15: 845-851.
- Tamborini A, et al. Value of standardized Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in the management of congestive symptoms of premenstrual syndrome [abstract; in French]. Rev Fr Gynecol Obstet 1993; 88: 477-457.
- Premenstrual syndrome fact sheet. Womenshealth.gov
