<i>Hypericum perforutum</i> and Vitamin B6 as a Treatment for Premenstrual Syndrome

Abstract

Background: It is shown that the premenstrual syndrome is related to a plethora of problems due to its direct and indirect effects on work, school, home, and productivity or inefficiency of relationships with others. Methods: A double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial (RCTs) was conducted in gynecology clinic of Zeinabieh Hospital affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Two hundred and thirty eight patients with premenstrual syndrome participated in the study. The prospective menstrual daily (MD) were filled by patients two months prior to the intervention. Then, they were randomly allocated into three groups: one group received two Hypericum perforutum tablets containing 330 µg hypericin; the second group received two vitamin B6 tablets containing 40 mg of vitamin B6, and the third group took two placebo tablets daily from the first to 30th day of menstrual cycle for two cycles. Results: The mean total score decreased from 34.47 ± 6.82 to 20.68 ± 5.72 (40%) in the perforan group, from 33.93 ± 6.95 to 20.92 ± 5.26 (38%) in the vitamin B6 and from 33.86 ± 6.16 to 23.90 ± 6 (29%) in the control group. The mean total score demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the three arms compared to the baseline (P < 0.001). Also, the comparison of the three groups showed a significant difference at terminal weeks (P < 0.002). Conclusions: Hypericum perforutum and vitamin B6 are safe, well tolerated and effective drugs to treat females with moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome in Iran.