Impact of dietary minerals on PMS
Many dietary supplements are advocated to reduce certain symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). However, only one — calcium — has...
Review: Ginger to treat pain
Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, has been used to treat pain, among other things. Prof. Ernst and colleagues from...
Acupuncture in Ob/Gyn
Acupuncture is often recommended for obstetrical and gynecological (Ob/Gyn) conditions. Prof. Ernst has reviewed the evidence.
Valerian for dysmenorrhea
Researchers at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, in Tehran, Iran, evaluated valerian — an herb with sedative effects and...
Alzheimer's DementiaAsthma/AllergyCancerHeadache/MigraineIrritable Bowel SyndromeMenopauseMenstruationPain-BackPMS/DysmenorrheaPregnancyReflexologySurgery
A systematic review of reflexology
Prof. Ernst has reviewed all the studies.
Reviews of acupuncture for primary dysmenorrhea
Primary dysmenorrhea is painful menstruation that’s not due to a disease, but to menstruation itself. There’s “promising evidence” for acupuncture,...
Review: Acupuncture to manage PMS
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to physical or emotional symptoms that typically occur about 5 to 11 days before a woman...
Krill oil vs fish oil to manage premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea
In this study, researchers at the University of Montreal, in Quebec, evaluated the response to alternative sources of omega-3 fatty...
Cholesterol/LipidsDiabetes MellitusHeart DiseaseHigh Blood PressureOmega-3 Fatty AcidsPMS/Dysmenorrhea
Krill oil effects in humans
A reader asked for a summary of the benefits of krill oil. Most of the published literature is based on...
Reviewing herbs, vitamins, and minerals in treating premenstrual syndrome
Researchers from Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia reviewed the evidence and make recommendations for women experiencing symptoms of premenstrual...
Bone FractureCancerCholesterol/LipidsDiabetes MellitusDiarrhea/ConstipationFlavonoids (Soy)FlaxseedHeart DiseaseHigh Blood PressureMenopausePainPMS/DysmenorrheaPregnancy
Flaxseed review
Medscape has published 2 case histories. One patient wants to take flaxseed to improve cholesterol levels and diabetes control. The...
Treating endometriosis with Chinese herbal medicine
In China, treating endometriosis with herbal medicines (CHM) is routine. Cochrane reviewed the evidence, and the outcome is encouraging.
No support for chastetree during pregnancy and lactation
Chastetree (Vitex agnus castus) is a deciduous shrub used to treat a variety of gynecologic conditions, including menstrual irregularities. Researchers...
Black/Blue CohoshCalciumChasteberryDiet-NutritionFlavonoids (Soy)Folic AcidIronKnee ReplacementL-arginineLiver DiseaseLycopeneMagnesiumMenopausePMS/DysmenorrheaSaw PalmettoSeleniumTrans FatsVitaminsZinc
Review of herbal medicines in gynecology
Dr. Cathi Dennehy from the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of California San Francisco has reviewed the evidence....
Saffron to treat PMS
This is the first study of saffron to treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in humans.
Chasteberry to treat breast discomfort and premenstrual syndrome
Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus), or monk’s pepper is an herbal medicine that may be effective in treatment of cyclical breast discomfort...
A bewildering study of acupuncture treatment of dysmenorrhea
Why do CAM journals publish useless studies? Case in point.
Pycnogenol reduces pain of endometriosis
Long-term treatment with French maritime pine bark extract (pycnogenol) reduced symptoms of endometriosis, such as pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea, in...
Evaluating omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for joint pain
A literature review by two researchers at York University in Toronto “suggest[s] that omega-3 PUFAs are an attractive adjunctive treatment...
A critical review of spinal manipulation
Spinal manipulation (SM) is a traditional treatment practiced by chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists, and other healthcare providers mostly (but not exclusively)...