Blackmores Institute

The double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial of 189 women found that the psychological scores differed significantly between groups (P&lt;0.01) after eight weeks of supplementation with 1000mg of evening primrose oil capsules (or matching placebo).
 
 “The mean baseline psychological score was not significantly different between groups, but after eight weeks of intervention, the psychological scores, however, showed significant differences between groups in all psychological symptoms including depressive mood, anxiety, irritability, and mental exhaustion by the end of the study,” the authors said.
 
 “To distinguish the effect of evening primrose oil, we compared the reduction of psychological scores in each group. With respect to the mean differences in the psychological scores of both groups, the symptoms were significantly alleviated in the intervention group, compared with the control group mean difference: -3.44 (95% confidence interval of difference: -4.01 to -1.20) (P &lt; 0.01).”
 
 According to the study authors, the global increase in life expectancy could mean women will spend more than one-third of their lives after menopause during which several somatic, urogenital and psychological changes occur. 
 
 Anxiety, mood disorders and cognitive problems are common symptoms among menopausal women. 
 
 “Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis), a member of the Panacea family, is an herbal medicine, the seeds of which are rich in linoleic acid (70%) and gamma-linolenic acid (8%-14%). This plant is native to South and Central America and some studies have examined the use of evening primrose oil as a nutritional supplement for mental health, and its safety has been confirmed in several clinical studies,” the authors said.
 
 “According to our literature review, the number of studies on evening primrose oil and menopause are limited, and all studies have only evaluated some somatic symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of evening primrose oil on the psychological symptoms of postmenopausal women.”
 
 With results of this study exhibiting a positive effect of evening primrose oil on ameliorating psychological symptoms such as depressive mood, irritability, anxiety and physical and mental exhaustion, the authors suggest this may be due to the linoleic and gamolenic acid components of evening primrose oil.
 
 “Evening primrose oil, which is rich in linoleic acid (omega-3) and gamolenic acid (a precursor of prostaglandin E) can play a pivotal role in the treatment of psychological complications. Its’ therapeutic effects are attributed to the direct effects of omega-3 on immune cells and its indirect effects on the synthesis of eicosanoids, including prostaglandins, cytokines and cytokine mediators.
 
 “Menopausal women commonly deal with psychological complications, which may affect their quality of life; therefore, untreated psychological effects should be appropriately managed by clinicians.
 
 “This study could provide evidence regarding the potential benefits of evening primrose oil for the psychological symptoms of postmenopausal women,” the authors concluded.
 
 Source:
 Menopause. 2020. DOI: <a href="https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/Abstract/2020/02000/Impact_of_evening_primrose_oil_consumption_on.11.aspx">10.1097/GME.0000000000001434</a>.

Women suffering from post-menopausal psychological symptoms may benefit from evening primrose oil supplementation, results from a new study in journal Menopause, reports.

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