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Clinical white paper

PMS Relief Capsule: formulation and evidence review

A formulation and evidence summary for healthcare professionals and informed readers.

By Matt Crane, PhD, Co-Founder & Chief Science Officer · Last reviewed July 2026

PDF · 4 pages Read the full white paper (PDF) Open the complete formulation and evidence review

Executive summary

PMS Relief Capsule is a cyclical formula designed for the days around menstruation. Its architecture combines magnesium and vitamin D with plant compounds chosen to support normal inflammatory, antioxidant, mast-cell, and nervous-system pathways that can shift across the cycle.

The white paper cites 21 publications spanning menstrual-symptom measurement, nutrient status, prostaglandin and leukotriene biology, oxidative stress, mast cells, and human interventions. Semaine's registered open-label crossover study evaluates the finished formula, but its design cannot establish a placebo-controlled effect.

Formulation rationale

A cyclical, multi-pathway formula

The design starts from timing. Menstrual discomfort coincides with changes in inflammatory signaling, yet many people prefer support only during the part of the month when they need it. The formula is therefore used around menstruation, making the regimen easier to integrate with an already changing routine.

Rather than concentrating on one enzyme, the paper maps compounds across prostaglandin, leukotriene, oxidative-stress, mast-cell, and GABA-related pathways. Magnesium and vitamin D address nutrient-status questions raised in menstrual-health studies. Bioavailability and raw-extract load also shaped the formula because poorly absorbed ingredients can add GI discomfort at exactly the wrong time. This is nutritional support, not a replacement for evaluation of severe or changing symptoms.

Formula at a glance

IngredientForm / amountRole in the formula
Magnesium Sucrosomial magnesium Nutrient support for normal muscle, nerve, and cycle function
Vitamin D3 Cholecalciferol Addresses a nutrient pathway studied in menstrual discomfort
Curcumin Standardized turmeric extract Supports normal inflammatory and antioxidant pathways
Quercetin Plant flavonoid Antioxidant and mast-cell pathway support
Resveratrol Plant polyphenol Antioxidant pathway support
Silymarin Milk thistle flavonolignans Supports endogenous antioxidant systems
Green tea catechins Standardized extract Polyphenol support across oxidative pathways
Ashwagandha Root extract Supports the normal stress response
Boswellia Standardized resin extract Supports a normal inflammatory response

See current product facts

Published literature

The evidence base

The cited sources explain both the problem definition and the formula architecture. They range from randomized nutrient interventions to mechanistic reviews, so each source type answers a different question.

  • Menstrual discomfort and measurementFoundational and clinical reviews

    Chesney established a menstrual symptom questionnaire, while Harel reviews dysmenorrhea biology and management. These sources help define what should be measured and why timing matters.

  • Magnesium and vitamin DHuman clinical and nutrient-status studies

    Facchinetti studied oral magnesium and premenstrual mood changes. Abdul-Razzak examined vitamin D status, and Moini conducted a randomized double-blind study in vitamin-D-deficient participants. This supports nutrient sufficiency as one layer of the formula.

  • Prostaglandin and leukotriene pathwaysMechanistic and clinical context

    Strömberg connects vasopressin and prostaglandins with menstrual discomfort. Abu and Konje examine leukotrienes, including why a broader pathway map may matter when a single route is insufficient.

  • Oxidative and inflammatory signalingReviews

    Augoulea and Lousse review oxidative and inflammatory biology in endometriosis. The formula does not treat endometriosis; these sources informed compound selection around normal inflammatory signaling.

  • Mast-cell biologyTranslational reviews

    Zhang, Kirchhoff, Hart, and Binda assess mast cells across intestinal and gynecologic research. This emerging evidence supports a multi-pathway design while also underscoring the need for more finished-formula trials.

  • Mood and symptom severityObservational study

    Bertone-Johnson links inflammatory markers with menstrual symptom severity. This supports evaluating mental and physical experiences together rather than as isolated endpoints.

Finished-formula evidence

Our own study

In a third-party observational open-label crossover study of 48 women, each participant completed a baseline cycle and a cycle using the formula around menstruation, serving as her own comparison. Participants reported a significant reduction (p<0.01) in every symptom surveyed, including cramping, digestive upset, mood swings, and bloating.

The hs-CRP result moved in the hypothesized direction but did not reach significance (p>0.01), so it is not presented as an efficacy finding. Because the study was open-label and had no placebo group, the reported changes do not establish causation.

Funding disclosure: This study was independently conducted by Citrus Labs and funded by Semaine.

See the full study design, results, and limitations

Full references

  1. Chesney MA, Tasto DL. Development of the menstrual symptom questionnaire. Behav Res Ther. 1975;13:237-244.Measurement
  2. Oladosu FA, et al. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug resistance in dysmenorrhea. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018;218:390-400.Review
  3. Stosic R, et al. Responsible self-medication and OTC analgesic use. Int J Pharm Pract. 2011;19:236-245.Survey
  4. Kantor ED, et al. Trends in dietary supplement use among US adults. JAMA. 2016;316:1464-1474.Epidemiology
  5. Harel Z. Dysmenorrhea in adolescents and young adults. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2006;19:363-371.Clinical review
  6. Chocano-Bedoya PO, et al. Mineral intake and premenstrual syndrome risk. Am J Epidemiol. 2013;177:1118-1127.Cohort study
  7. Attiq A, et al. Natural products and inflammatory pathways. Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:976.Review
  8. Maroon JC, et al. Natural anti-inflammatory agents. Surg Neurol Int. 2010;1:80.Review
  9. Facchinetti F, et al. Oral magnesium and premenstrual mood changes. Obstet Gynecol. 1991;78:177-181.Human clinical
  10. Abdul-Razzak KK, et al. Vitamin D and PTH status in severe dysmenorrhea. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2014;27:78-82.Observational
  11. Moini A, et al. Vitamin D in primary dysmenorrhea with vitamin D deficiency. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2016;32:502-505.Randomized trial
  12. Olafsdottir LB, et al. Irritable bowel syndrome and dysmenorrhea: 10-year follow-up. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2012;2012:534204.Cohort study
  13. Augoulea A, et al. Endometriosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2012;286:99-103.Review
  14. Lousse JC, et al. Peritoneal endometriosis and inflammatory biology. Front Biosci. 2012;4:23-40.Review
  15. Strömberg P, et al. Vasopressin and prostaglandins in premenstrual pain and dysmenorrhea. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1984;63:533-538.Human study
  16. Abu JI, Konje JC. Leukotrienes in gynecology. Hum Reprod Update. 2000;6:200-205.Review
  17. Zhang L, et al. Mast cells and irritable bowel syndrome. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2016;22:181-192.Review
  18. Kirchhoff D, et al. Mast cells in endometriosis. Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2012;16:237-241.Review
  19. Hart DA. Mast cells in multiple sclerosis and endometriosis. Int J Inflam. 2015;2015:452095.Review
  20. Binda MM, et al. Targeting mast cells in endometriosis. Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2017;21:67-75.Review
  21. Bertone-Johnson ER, et al. Inflammation markers and menstrual symptom severity. Hum Reprod. 2014;29:1987-1994.Observational
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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