Relationship: Dysmenorrhea and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)

Evidence supporting the use of: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
For the health condition: Dysmenorrhea

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found in fish oil, has some scientific support for its use in managing dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation). The rationale lies in EPA's anti-inflammatory properties. Dysmenorrhea is associated with increased production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins (particularly prostaglandin F2α) in the endometrium, which cause uterine contractions and pain. EPA competes with arachidonic acid, the precursor to these pro-inflammatory prostaglandins, leading instead to the formation of less inflammatory prostaglandins (series-3 prostaglandins). Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have investigated omega-3 fatty acids (including EPA and DHA) for dysmenorrhea. For example, a 2012 double-blind RCT published in "The Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine" found that women supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids (180 mg EPA and 120 mg DHA) experienced reduced pain intensity compared to placebo. A 2020 systematic review in "Complementary Therapies in Medicine" concluded that omega-3 supplementation is associated with a significant reduction in menstrual pain, though most studies used EPA/DHA combinations rather than EPA alone. While the evidence is not unequivocal and more large-scale studies are needed, current research suggests EPA-containing supplements may be beneficial for dysmenorrhea due to their ability to modulate inflammatory mediators. There is little evidence for traditional use of EPA for this purpose; its use is primarily based on modern biochemical understanding and clinical studies.

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Other ingredients used for Dysmenorrhea

alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
black cohosh
calcium
chamomile
chaste tree
dong quai root
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
fennel
fish oil
ginger
magnesium
Motherwort
omega-3 fatty acids
parsley
passionflower
Peppermint
phytocannabinoids
vitamin B6
vitamin E
Wild yam
gastrodia
anise
peony
dioscorea
Trichosanthes
shepherd's purse
avens
ambergris
Angelica
Achyranthes
anamu
Albizia
Alchemilla
Aletris
Anserina
Aerva lanata
Anemone
Actaea spicata
Agrimonia pilosa
Agnuside
Ashoka
Abuta
Arisaema
blue cohosh
Blepharis
Boswellia
bethroot
Boerhavia diffusa
cohosh
Calendula
Calotropis gigantea
Cyathula
Corydalis
Didymocarpus
dong quai
Erythropalum scandens
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Euphorbia
Lady's Mantle
Lophira lanceolata
Labisia pumila
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Montanoa tomentosa
Pennyroyal
Pulsatilla
poppy
Phytoestrogens
rue
Semecarpus anacardium
Viburnum
Vitex Agnus-Castus

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Evidence supporting the use of: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
For the health condition: Dysmenorrhea

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Dysmenorrhea

Other health conditions supported by EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)

Products containing EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)For the health condition: Dysmenorrhea

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Dysmenorrhea

Other health conditions supported by EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)

Products containing EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)

Evidence supporting the use of: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
For the health condition: Dysmenorrhea