Omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids as a potential treatment for reducing dysmenorrhoea pain: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis
- PMID: 37545015
- DOI: 10.1111/1747-0080.12835
Omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids as a potential treatment for reducing dysmenorrhoea pain: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Aim: This systematic literature review with meta-analysis aimed to determine the effect of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on prostaglandin levels and pain severity in women with dysmenorrhoea and identify adverse side effects.
Methods: A literature search was conducted in Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE complete, CINAHL and AMED databases (PROSPERO CRD42022340371). Included studies provided omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to a control in women with dysmenorrhoea and reported pain and/or prostaglandin levels. A random effects meta-analysis with Cohen's d effect size (95% confidence interval) was performed in SPPS for studies that reported pain outcomes. Study quality was assessed using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist.
Results: Twelve studies (n = 881 dysmenorrhoeal women) of predominantly neutral quality (83%) were included that provided daily supplementation of 300-1800 mg omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids over 2 or 3 months. Meta-analysis (n = 8 studies) showed a large effect of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (d = -1.020, 95% confidence interval -1.53 to -0.51) at reducing dysmenorrhoea pain. No studies measured prostaglandin levels, 86% of studies measuring analgesic use showed a reduction with omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and few studies reported mild adverse side effects in individual participants.
Conclusions: Findings suggest that daily supplementation of 300-1800 mg omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids over 2-3 months are generally well tolerated and reduces pain and analgesic use in women with dysmenorrhoea. However, the neutral quality of research is limited by methodological issues and the mechanism of action remains to be determined.
Keywords: docosahexaenoic acid; eicosapentanoic acid; fish oil; menstrual pain; menstruation; prostaglandins.
© 2023 The Authors. Nutrition & Dietetics published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Dietitians Australia.
Similar articles
-
Folic acid supplementation and malaria susceptibility and severity among people taking antifolate antimalarial drugs in endemic areas.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022 Feb 1;2(2022):CD014217. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD014217. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022. PMID: 36321557 Free PMC article.
-
Nifedipine for primary dysmenorrhoea.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Dec 18;12(12):CD012912. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012912.pub2. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021. PMID: 34921554 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for cystic fibrosis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Apr 10;4(4):CD002201. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002201.pub6. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020. PMID: 32275788 Free PMC article.
-
Exercise for dysmenorrhoea.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Sep 20;9(9):CD004142. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004142.pub4. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019. PMID: 31538328 Free PMC article.
-
Herbal and dietary therapies for primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001;(3):CD002124. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002124. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Mar 22;3:CD002124. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002124.pub2. PMID: 11687013 Updated. Review.
References
REFERENCES
-
- Al-Jefout M, Nawaiseh N. Continuous norethisterone acetate versus cyclical drospirenone 3 mg/ethinyl estradiol 20 μg for the management of primary dysmenorrhoea in young adult women. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2016;29(2):143-147.
-
- Bakhsh H, Algenaimi E, Aldhuwayhi R, AboWadaan M. Prevalence of dysmenorrhoea among reproductive age group in Saudi women. BMC Womens Health. 2022;22(1):78.
-
- Polat A, Celik H, Gurates B, et al. Prevalence of primary dysmenorrhoea in young adult female university students. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2009;279(4):527-532.
-
- Hillen TI, Grbavac SL, Johnston PJ, Straton JA, Keogh JM. Primary dysmenorrhoea in young Western Australian women: prevalence, impact, and knowledge of treatment. J Adolesc Health. 1999;25(1):40-45.
-
- Proctor M, Farquhar C. Diagnosis and management of dysmenorrhoea. BMJ. 2006;332(7550):1134-1138.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical