Evidence supporting the use of: Gamma Linolenic Acid
For the health condition: PMS (general)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid found in evening primrose oil, borage oil, and black currant seed oil, has been used as a dietary supplement to support symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The rationale for its use is based on the hypothesis that some women with PMS have impaired conversion of linoleic acid to GLA or altered prostaglandin metabolism, which GLA supplementation may help correct. Several small randomized controlled trials and observational studies have explored GLA’s effects on PMS symptoms like breast tenderness, mood swings, and bloating. While some studies report modest improvements—particularly for mastalgia (breast pain)—other studies have shown no significant benefit compared to placebo. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses generally conclude that the evidence is mixed and of low quality, with methodological limitations such as small sample sizes and inconsistent outcome measures.

Overall, GLA’s use for PMS is supported by a plausible biological mechanism and some clinical research, but the evidence is not robust or consistent. Most clinical guidelines do not recommend GLA as a first-line therapy for PMS due to insufficient high-quality evidence. Thus, while there is some scientific rationale and preliminary data, the evidence base is not strong enough to firmly validate its use.

More about Gamma Linolenic Acid
More about PMS (general)

Other health conditions supported by Gamma Linolenic Acid

Arthritis
Eczema
Inflammation
PMS (general)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Skin (dry and/or flaky)

Products containing Gamma Linolenic Acid

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.