Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is extracted from the seeds of the Oenothera biennis plant. It is rich in gamma-linoleic acid (GLA). Some studies have shown that women who suffer from PMS amy have an impaired abilility to convert linoleic acid to GLA. GLA deficiency may be a factor in PMS and evening primrose oil is a way to supplement that defeciency and potentially reduce PMS symptoms. In several double blind studies, evening primrose oil was found to be beneficial but in other studies it was no more effective than placebo.

Despite these conflicting results, many nutritionally-oriented doctors do recommend evening primrose oil. The usual amount recommended is 3–4 grams per day. Evening primrose oil seems to work best when used over several menstrual cycles and may be more helpful in women with PMS who also experience breast tenderness or fibrocystic breast disease.