Protocols › Zinc

Zinc for period pain

Goal: What trials of zinc used for period pain that has no other cause.

Each protocol describes what studies used, for one goal or for one group of people. It is not advice for you: talk to a doctor before you start a supplement.

Updated 10 Nov 2026
Dose

7 to 150 mg of zinc a day. Doses as low as 7 mg a day reduced pain.[1]

Form

Zinc sulfate in 5 of the 6 trials and zinc gluconate in 1.[1]

When to take

In several trials, zinc was taken for 3 to 7 days before or during each period.[1]

How long

1 to 6 months. Trials of 8 weeks or more found a larger effect.[1]

What studies found

In 6 trials with 739 women, pain was lower with zinc than with placebo. The authors called the drop clinically meaningful (Hedges's g -1.54).[1]

Ask a doctor first

The highest dose in these trials, 150 mg a day, is far above the US upper limit for adults of 40 mg a day.[1][2] Side effects did not differ significantly between zinc and placebo.[1]

Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take antibiotics, penicillamine or a thiazide diuretic.[2]

References

  1. Efficacy of Zinc Supplementation in the Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Hsu TJ, Hsieh RH, Huang CH, Chen CS, Lin WY, Huang YC, et al. Nutrients, 2024. PMID 39683510
  2. Zinc: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov