Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) has a long history of traditional use for relieving symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as breast tenderness, mood swings, and bloating. The rationale for its use stems primarily from its high gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content, an omega-6 fatty acid believed to influence prostaglandin synthesis and hormonal fluctuations. However, scientific studies investigating EPO’s effectiveness for PMS have produced mixed and generally unconvincing results. Several clinical trials and systematic reviews, including those published in the Cochrane Database and other reputable journals, have found little to no significant benefit of EPO over placebo for most PMS symptoms. While there are sporadic reports of symptom relief, the quality of evidence is generally regarded as low due to small sample sizes, inconsistent methodologies, and subjective outcome assessments. Major health organizations, such as the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), state that there is insufficient reliable evidence to support the use of EPO for PMS. Thus, while EPO continues to be widely used in traditional and complementary medicine, its use is primarily justified by tradition rather than robust scientific validation.

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