Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhoea (painful period) are common issues that significantly affect quality of life. But, as with so many women’s health issues, they do not receive enough attention or research and are commonly overlooked by public health. Natural health can help.
PMS usually occurs in the week before menstruation and can include bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, palpitations, depression, irritability, fatigue, poor concentration, mood swings and even suicidal thoughts. It affects 48% of women of reproductive age.
Dysmenorrhoea starts just before menstruation and can last from 8 hours to as much as 3 days and is experienced as lower abdominal or pelvic pain.
A body of research is beginning to establish curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, as a helpful herbal treatment for PMS and painful periods.
Curcumin may help because it is anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and a pain killer. Studies have found that curcumin can reduce the intensity and duration of painful periods. It can reduce oxidative stress, support hormonal balance and enhance serotonin and dopamine.
A triple-blind study found that curcumin significantly reduced period pain by 64% compared to 53.3% on a placebo (Phytother Res. 2021;35(12):6954–62). Another triple-blind study showed that curcumin outperforms placebo for increasing free-radical scavenging activity and antioxidant potential in women with PMS and painful periods (Chonnam Med J. 2024 May;60(2):113-119).
Curcumin is also a powerful antidepressant. One study found that curcumin significantly improved PMS symptoms, including both physical symptoms and mood (Complement Ther Med. 2015:23(3):318-24).
Now a new study has added to the evidence. The double-blind study included 62 university medical students. Half were given a placebo, and half were given 500mg of curcumin. They started taking their treatment 7 days before menstruation and continued to 3 days after menstruation for 2 menstrual cycles.
The women taking the curcumin had significantly greater improvement on the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool than the women taking the placebo. The scores in the curcumin group dropped from 52.7 to 42.6, while those in the placebo group only went down from 49.7 to 44.1.
Curcumin also led to significantly greater improvement in painful periods, with self rating for pain dropping from 5.4 to 4.3 compared to 5.6 to 4.9 in the placebo group. The improvement was significantly better than placebo in the second and third cycle.
The curcumin was also safe with no adverse effects being reported.
The researchers conclude that “This study highlights the increasing evidence that curcumin is an effective natural treatment for PMS and dysmenorrhea.”
J Pharm Health Care Sci. 2025 Jul 16;11:61.