Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is used to support or treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Type D, characterized by symptoms such as depression, irritability, and mood swings, based on a modest body of scientific evidence. Several randomized controlled trials and reviews have examined the efficacy of vitamin B6 in alleviating PMS symptoms, particularly mood-related complaints. A meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Wyatt et al., 1999) concluded that vitamin B6, at doses up to 100 mg daily, may be more effective than placebo in reducing overall PMS symptoms, with some effect on mood symptoms.

The proposed mechanism involves vitamin B6’s role as a cofactor in neurotransmitter synthesis, including serotonin and dopamine, which are implicated in mood regulation. However, the quality of supporting studies varies: many are small, have methodological limitations, or yield inconsistent results. More recent systematic reviews (e.g., Stevinson & Ernst, 2001; Rapkin & Winer, 2008) note that, while some women report benefit, the evidence is not robust or consistent enough to firmly recommend B6 as a standard therapy.

In summary, while there is scientific rationale and some clinical data supporting the use of vitamin B6 for PMS Type D symptoms, the overall evidence is limited and not definitive. Most guidelines suggest it may be tried as an adjunct, particularly for mood symptoms, but further high-quality research is needed.