A Kampo medicine, kamishoyosan, ameliorates menstruation-associated symptoms in patients with premenstrual syndrome: An exploratory open-label, randomized controlled trial
In an open-label, randomized exploratory trial of 50 patients, three menstrual cycles of oral kamishoyosan (KSS) significantly improved the premenstrual Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) total score. KSS also reduced MDQ scores during the cycle, improved several subscales (pain, concentration, behavioral change, negative feelings), eased daily symptoms such as irritability, anger and anxiety, and lowered activity impairment on the WPAI; one KSS-related adverse event (headache) was reported.
Why this is good news
For patients with premenstrual syndrome, the trial found KSS was associated with measurable reductions in MDQ symptom scores and decreased activity impairment on the WPAI, indicating possible improvement in daily functioning during menstrual cycles. The single reported KSS-related adverse event (headache) in this study suggests tolerability within the trial, while noting the study was exploratory and open-label.
What happens next
Can the reported reductions in MDQ scores, subscales and WPAI activity impairment be confirmed in blinded randomized trials?
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