Dysmenorrhoea or painful periods, is a condition that affects 50-70% of women. According to research published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, supplementing 400 iU of vitamin E per day can relieve menstrual cramps within four months says Amanda Michie, a Urbod Nutritionist working in the City. The study involved 278 young women aged 15-17 years who were given a placebo or 200IU of vitamin E twice per day beginning 2 days prior to menstruation and continuing for 3 days of bleeding. The results showed that those given the vitamin E supplement experienced less pain and less blood loss. It is unclear as to why vitamin E helps to relieve painful periods, but it is thought that it helps to inhibit a type of prostaglandin which is involved in inflammation and pain.
