Mastalgia
Supplements studied for Mastalgia.
Overview
SupplementDEX lists 6 supplements studied for mastalgia across 10 trials. The strongest indexed signals include Vitex Agnus Castus, Flaxseed, Flaxseed Oil. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for full ratings across all supplements.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
| Vitex agnus-castus | ★★★★★ | Medium |
| Flaxseed | ★★★★★ | Medium |
| Nattokinase | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Flaxseed Oil | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Inositol | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Gamma-Linolenic Acid | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
6 supplements for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Vitex agnus-castusView supplement →
Consider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Small studies show that vitex agnus-castus can moderately reduce breast pain caused by cyclical mastalgia.
- People usually take 3 to 40 mg daily for 2 to 6 months.
Browse 5 studies·2 meta-analyses
MetaThe Effectiveness of Herbal Medicines on Cyclic Mastalgia: A Systematic Review on Meta-analysis2022
In a meta-analysis in women, 2 g/day, also, chamomile, isoflavone, cinnamon, and nigella sativa significantly reduced mastalgia symptoms.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 2 g/day
- Population
- Women
- Ages
- 15–49
MetaVitex Agnus-Castus for the Treatment of Cyclic Mastalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis2020n=718
In a meta-analysis of 718 participants, 40 mg/day, vAC was effective in relieving breast pain intensity and lowering the increased serum prolactin level in reproductive age CM patients (18-45 years) with or without premenstrual syndromes.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 40 mg/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 718
- Ages
- 18–45
RCTEffects of Vitex agnus and Flaxseed on cyclic mastalgia: A randomized controlled trial2016n=53
In an RCT of 159 women with cyclical mastalgia, 25 g/day flaxseed powder and Vitex agnus both reduced breast pain over 2 months versus placebo, with no significant difference between active groups.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 2 months
- Dose
- 25 g/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 53
Comparison of fructus agni casti and flurbiprofen in the treatment of cyclic mastalgia in premenopausal women2014
In a study in women, there was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups after treatment.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Women
- Ages
- premenopausal
RCTTreatment of cyclical mastalgia with a solution containing a Vitex agnus castus extract: results of a placebo-controlled double-blind study1999n=49
In an RCT of 49 participants, after three cycles, the mean VAS-score reduction for women taking VACS was 34.3 mm, a reduction of 'borderline significance' (p=0.064) on statistical testing compared with placebo (25.7 mm).
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 3 menstrual cycles
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 49
FlaxseedView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- In women experiencing cyclic breast pain, taking 25 grams of flaxseed powder daily for 2 to 3 months has been shown to reduce the intensity and duration of pain, with studies reporting improvements from moderate to mild symptoms.
Browse 1 study
RCTEffects of Vitex agnus and Flaxseed on cyclic mastalgia: A randomized controlled trial2016n=53
In an RCT of 159 women with cyclical mastalgia, 25 g/day flaxseed powder and Vitex agnus both reduced breast pain over 2 months versus placebo, with no significant difference between active groups.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 2 months
- Dose
- 25 g/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 53
Flaxseed OilView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- A study in women with fibrocystic breasts and breast pain found that taking flaxseed oil twice daily for 2 months reduced pain just as well as taking vitamin E daily.
Browse 1 study
RCTThe comparison of the effect of flaxseed oil and vitamin E on mastalgia and nodularity of breast fibrocystic: a randomized double-blind clinical trial2021n=100
In 100 women with fibrocystic breast disease over 2 months, flaxseed oil and vitamin E 200 IU twice daily each reduced breast pain and nodularity within groups, without significant between-group differences.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 2 months
- Dose
- 400 IU/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 100
- Ages
- 20–50
NattokinaseView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- There is not enough evidence to determine if nattokinase has any benefit for mastalgia.
Browse 1 study
RCTA randomized double blind-cross over trial of soya protein for the treatment of cyclical breast pain2000n=20
In 18 women with cyclical breast pain, 3 months of soy protein drink reduced pain in 56% vs 11% with cow's milk, though phytoestrogen levels did not always rise with perceived benefit.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 3 months
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 20
InositolView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- A small study in women with cyclical breast pain found that using a gel with inositol, Boswellia, and betaine daily during part of the menstrual cycle for three months was linked to lower pain levels.
- However, the results are uncertain because the study was not designed with a placebo comparison.
Browse 1 study
Breast gel based on Boswellia serrata, Betaine and myo-Inositol improves cyclic mastodynia in fertile women: A retrospective clinical study2024n=15
A retrospective study of 15 fertile women (ages 20–45) found a topical breast gel with Boswellia, betaine, and myo-inositol improved cyclic mastodynia.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 2.5 g
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 15
- Ages
- 20–45
Gamma-Linolenic AcidView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- In a small study, people with breast pain (mastalgia) took a combination of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), vitamin C, and vitamin B12 daily for 12 weeks.
- Compared to a placebo, this treatment did not help reduce pain.
Browse 1 study
RCTOpen-Label Three Arm Trial Comparing Ormeloxifene, Gamma Linolenic Acid With Methylcobalamine + Vitamin C and Placebo in Mastalgia2022n=39
In a 12-week open-label RCT of 113 women with mastalgia, GLA plus methylcobalamin and vitamin C achieved complete relief in 94%, similar to ormeloxifene (96%) and placebo (87%).
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 39
- Ages
- 18+
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitex agnus-castus | ★★★★★72% | 5 | 2 | 50% |
| Flaxseed | ★★★★★56% | 1 | 0 | 10% |
| Flaxseed Oil | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 10% |
| Gamma-Linolenic Acid | ★★★★★32% | 1 | 0 | 10% |
| Inositol | ★★★★★40% | 1 | 0 | 10% |
| Nattokinase | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 10% |