Pain during menstruation, also referred to as dysmenorrhea, can include bloating, cramps, abdominal pain and lower back pain, and often is unpleasant for women of childbearing age. Several studies have examined the use of fish oil supplements to help reduce menstrual pain. Fish oil supplements contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA.
Background
A 2007 review article in "Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy" reports that omega-3 supplementation might play a role in preventing postmenopausal hot flashes and menstrual syndrome. Menstrual syndrome is a term used to describe symptoms related to menstruation in women.
Dosages for Pain
A 2010 study published in the "Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal" found that after receiving daily fish oil supplements for three months, girls from 18 to 22 years old reported fewer symptoms of dysmenorrhea such as low back pain and abdominal pain than girls who received a placebo pill. The daily dosages used in this study were 15 mL of fish oil containing 550 mg of EPA and 205 mg of DHA.
Minimum Dosages
Although minimum dosage requirements do not exist for fish oil supplements, children and adults do require minimum daily dosages of EPA and DHA, which are abundant in fish oils. The Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board established daily adequate intake levels for omega-3 fatty acids for adult men and women, which range from 1.1 g to 1.6 g per day. The American Pregnancy Association reports that everyone 15 and older require at least 220 mg of both DHA and EPA per day, and that pregnant women require at least 300 mg of DHA per day.
Considerations
Some women who experience symptoms of dysmenorrhea choose to take pain-relieving medications. Consuming fish oil supplements might help reduce the need to take pain medications, or reduce the amount of medications needed to relieve menstrual pain. According to Medline Plus, taking fish oil by itself or with vitamin B-12 is possibly effective in helping improve painful periods and reduce the need for certain pain medications during menstruation.
References
- "Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy"; Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Women; JM Bourre; 2007
- "Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal"; Effect of Clupeonella grimmi (anchovy/kilka) fish oil on dysmenorrhoea; AA Moghadamnia AA; April 2010
- Medline Plus; Fish Oil; February 2011
- Institute of Medicine Food and Nutrition Board; Dietary Reference Intakes: Macronutrients; Jan 2011
- American Pregnancy Association; Omega-3 Fish Oil and Pregnancy; August 2009
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