There’s no indication that fish oil regulates your period. Nothing in the supplement is known to affect the rise and fall of hormones that control your menstrual cycle. This, however, doesn’t mean fish oil isn’t of benefit during menstruation. In fact, it could ease some of the symptoms associated with menstrual bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking fish oil — or any other supplement, for that matter — to treat menstruation.
Evidence
Although fish oil is unable to regulate menstrual bleeding, it may help relieve pain during menstruation, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A study published in the “Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal” found that 15 mL of fish oil could reduce dysmenorrhea, or pain during menstruation, after just three months of use. It was also associated with improving both abdominal and low back pain. The supplements of most benefit contained 500 mg of EPA and 205 mg of DHA, two omega-3 fatty acids. The National Institutes of Health, however, recommends taking a fish oil supplement consisting of 1080 mg EPA and 720 mg DHA to ease painful menstrual periods.
Effects
It appears that the omega-3 fatty acids lower prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that stimulate your pain receptors. When you have high levels of prostaglandins in the body, you’re far more likely to suffer from menstrual pain than women with relatively low levels. Fish oil’s effect on prostaglandins, however, does nothing to regulate your periods. Another method is necessary.
Regulation
Instead of self-prescribing fish oil to regulate menstrual bleeding, talk to your doctor. Medical professionals can recommend the best treatments to suit your specific needs. If menstrual bleeding is prolonged or irregular, it could be an indication of an underlying condition, cautions the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health. Anything from polycystic ovary syndrome to uterine fibroids to endometrial hyperplasia can affect menstruation. Even stress, hormonal changes and birth control pills can trigger an irregular cycle.
Treatment
Fish oil isn’t likely to improve any of the conditions associated with irregular menstrual bleeding, so proper diagnosis is essential to treatment. Keep a record of your cycle as well as the severity of bleeding to help doctors determine the cause of the problem. Make note of any other associated symptoms as well.
References
- MedlinePlus; Fish Oil; February 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; June 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Menstrual Pain; December 2009
- “Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal”; Effect of Clupeonella Grimmi (Anchovy/Kilka) Fish Oil on Dysmenorrhoea; A.A. Moghadamnia, et al.; April 2010
- Science Daily; Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Omega 3 Fatty Acid In Fish Oil Linked To Lowering Of Prostaglandin; April 2006
- WomensHealth.gov; Menstruation and Menstrual Bleeding Fact Sheet; October 2009
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