Efficacy of probiotic supplementation in reducing primary dysmenorrhea: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial
Issued Date
2026-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
20452322
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105037623107
Pubmed ID
41844737
Journal Title
Scientific Reports
Volume
16
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Scientific Reports Vol.16 No.1 (2026)
Suggested Citation
Vallibhakara O., Tosiri W., Vallibhakara S.A.O., Sophonsritsuk A., Lekpittaya N. Efficacy of probiotic supplementation in reducing primary dysmenorrhea: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Scientific Reports Vol.16 No.1 (2026). doi:10.1038/s41598-026-44327-5 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/116637
Title
Efficacy of probiotic supplementation in reducing primary dysmenorrhea: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Primary dysmenorrhea is painful menstruation in the absence of pelvic pathology, whereas secondary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain attributable to an underlying pelvic disease (e.g., endometriosis). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used as first-line therapy. Recent evidence <sup>18</sup> suggests that modulation of the gut microbiota may influence menstrual pain through immunologic and neuroendocrine pathways. This double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated the efficacy of daily multispecies probiotic supplementation in reducing menstrual pain severity in women aged 18–24 years diagnosed with moderate to severe primary dysmenorrhea. Forty-eight participants were randomized to receive either a probiotic supplement or placebo for three consecutive menstrual cycles, followed by a three-month observation period. The primary outcome was the change in pain severity, assessed using a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS). At baseline, VAS scores were similar between groups (probiotic 6.1 ± 1.17 vs placebo 6.3 ± 1.26; p = 0.62). After three months of intervention, the probiotic group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in pain scores compared to the placebo group (3.7 ± 1.84 vs 5.8 ± 2.14; p < 0.01). However, the effect was not sustained after discontinuation of supplementation. No serious adverse events were reported. These findings suggest that continuous intake of multispecies probiotics may be an effective non-hormonal adjunct therapy for primary dysmenorrhea. Clinical trial registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20230326001), registered on 22 March 2023. https://thaiclinicaltrials.org/