A pilot study of Hypericum perforatum for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome

Objective To investigate whether Hypericum perforatum could relieve symptom s of premenstrual syndrome in a small group of women in order to establish a hypothesis and to test methods for conducting a future randomised control led trial. Design Prospective, open, uncontrolled, observational study. Setting Department of Complementary Medicine, University of Exeter. Population Nineteen women with premenstrual syndrome who were in otherwise good physical and mental health and not taking other treatments for premens trual syndrome. Method Volunteers underwent a preliminary screening interview, completed Da ily Symptom Ratings for one cycle, and attended a medical screening visit b efore being diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome. Participants took hyperic um tablets for two complete menstrual cycles (1 x 300 mg hypericum extract per day standardised to 900 mu g hypericin). Main outcome measures Symptoms were rated daily throughout the trial using a validated measure. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and modified Social Adjustment Scale were administered at baseline and after one and tw o cycles of treatment. Results There were significant reductions in all outcome measures. The degr ee of improvement: in overall premenstrual syndrome scores between baseline and the end of the trial was 51%, with over two-thirds of the sample demon strating at least a 50% decrease in symptom severity. Tolerance and complia nce with the treatment were encouraging. Conclusion The results of this pilot study suggest that there is scope for conducting a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial to investig ate the value of hypericum as a treatment for premenstrual syndrome.