Curcumin for Premenstrual Syndrome
Verdict: Published
Across 6 PubMed studies, the evidence for Curcumin in Premenstrual Syndrome grades Tier C — weak evidence.
C 🟠 C Weak Evidence Published
Why this grade7-layer evidence engine
Curcumin for PMS rests on small Iranian RCTs and one systematic review, not active meta-analyses. The 2024 Family Medicine meta-analysis (PMID 38266637) was retracted in March 2025, removing the strongest pooled evidence.
PMID 41281701 is a 2025 systematic review of RCTs without pooled effect sizes. Supporting trials (PMID 26051565 n=70 through 37394650 n=76) are small, single-center, and unreplicated. L11 recommends needs_more_evidence while status is published — a material policy gap.
Tier C reflects weak, retracted-MA evidence. Cleveland Clinic is supportive but Mayo, Harvard, ACOG 2023, IAPMD, and NCCIH do not list curcumin for PMS treatment.
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Scoring transparency
All scores computed by a 7-layer evidence engine — fully auditableRaw score 0.50
D
C
B
A
S
← counter-evidence / ineffectiveeffective / strong evidence →
Final grade
C · Published
Confidence
80%
Highly consistent evidence
Evidence level
E2
Multiple high-quality MAs (≥2 independent, consistent)
▸View the full decision path (audit trail)
- compute_raw_score — 加權公式: L2×0.30 + L3×0.25 + L5×0.25 + L11×0.10 + L1×0.10 = 0.502
- tier_from_score — 依分數區間映射至 tier letter
- apply_hec_rules — 高品質 SR/MA 顯示 positive (1 篇 > 0 negative)
- tier_strict_requirement_check — Tier 條件達標，未降階
- detect_disputes — 偵測到 0 個 hard + 0 個 soft dispute
- decide_status — 依 tier + dispute 結果決定 status
PubMed studies (6)L2 · primary research & systematic reviews
Curcumin, a bioactive supplement for premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea: A systematic review of randomised clinical trials
Finding: Narrative SR of 10 RCTs (~850 women): 6 of 10 trials reported a significant reduction in PMS and dysmenorrhea symptoms, but no pooled effect size was computed and the authors stress optimal dose/duration remain undefined.
View on PubMed Effect of Curcumin on Dysmenorrhea and Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (RETRACTED 2025)
Finding: RETRACTED (Korean J Fam Med 2025, retraction notice PMID 40139927): originally reported PMS overall score SMD -1.41 (95% CI -1.81 to -1.02; 2 studies, I2=0%) and dysmenorrhea MD -1.25 (95% CI -1.52 to -0.98; 3 studies, I2=31%), but the retraction nullifies this as usable evidence.
View on PubMed Curcumin attenuates severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Finding: Curcumin (~100 mg curcuminoid/day, 7 days pre- to 3 days post-menses x3 cycles) reduced total PMS severity from 102.06+/-39.64 to 42.47+/-16.37 vs placebo 106.06 to 91.60, a significant between-group mean difference (~45 points, p<0.001).
View on PubMed Effects of curcumin on menstrual pattern, premenstrual syndrome, and dysmenorrhea: A triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Finding: With 500 mg curcuminoid/day, PMS (PSST) fell similarly in both arms (curcumin 32.5->21.6 vs placebo 31.7->23.4) and dysmenorrhea improved 64% vs 53.3%; authors concluded curcumin had effects COMPARABLE to placebo (no significant between-group benefit on the primary endpoint).
View on PubMed The effect of oral curcumin capsules on symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial
Finding: Phospholipid curcumin 500 mg/day cut PSST in cycle 2 (MD -5.2, 95% CI -9.6 to -0.9, p=0.018) but lost significance by cycle 3 (MD -5.0, 95% CI -10.3 to 0.2, p=0.064); dysmenorrhea VAS was significantly lower in both cycles (cycle 2 MD -0.8, p=0.012; cycle 3 MD -0.8, p=0.029).
View on PubMed Effect of curcumin on inflammatory biomarkers and iron profile in patients with premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial
Finding: 500 mg curcuminoid+piperine/day significantly lowered median hs-CRP (0.30 to 0.20 mg/L, p=0.041) but left WBC, neutrophils, NLR, PLR and all iron-metabolism markers unchanged (p>0.05); a surrogate-marker result, not a clinical PMS-severity endpoint.
View on PubMed Regulatory & authoritative positionsL4/L5 · FDA / EMA / NIH ODS / Cochrane / Mayo …
L4b EU EFSA
Cautious
the Panel established an ADI for curcumin of 3 mg/kg bw/day source↗
L4c UK NHS
Cautious
Avoid turmeric and curcumin in individuals with bile duct obstruction, cholangitis, liver disease, gallstones, or any biliary disease. source↗
L4d TW TFDA / 衛福部
Cautious
薑黃素每人每日攝取量為每公斤體重0~3毫克，每日不超過200毫克為宜 source↗
L4e WHO
Neutral
Rhizoma Curcumae Longae source↗
L5a NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Cautious
We don't know enough to definitively conclude if turmeric or curcumin is beneficial for any health purposes. source↗
L5c Cleveland Clinic
Supportive
Curcumin is especially effective in easing mood swings and cramps. source↗