Comparison of the effect of vitamin E, vitamin D and ginger on the severity of primary dysmenorrhea: a single-blind clinical trial
10.5468/ogs.2019.62.6.462
- Author:
Hamideh PAKNIAT
1
;
Venus CHEGINI
;
Fatemeh RANJKESH
;
Mohammad Ali HOSSEINI
Author Information
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kowsar Hospital, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
- Publication Type:Clinical Trial
- Keywords:
Ginger;
Dysmenorrhea;
Menstrual cycle;
Vitamin E;
Vitamin D
- MeSH:
Analgesics;
Dysmenorrhea;
Female;
Follow-Up Studies;
Ginger;
Humans;
Menstrual Cycle;
Visual Analog Scale;
Vitamin D;
Vitamin E;
Vitamins
- From:Obstetrics & Gynecology Science
2019;62(6):462-468
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common problems for women, especially during their reproductive age. Various studies have examined the effects of vitamins D and E and ginger supplements. This study aimed to investigate the individual effects of each of these supplements on dysmenorrhea. METHODS: This single-blind clinical trial was conducted in 2016 on students aged 18 to 25 years who complained of mild to severe dysmenorrhea. The participants were randomly assigned into 4 groups: vitamin D, vitamin E, ginger, and placebo. The effects of the supplements on the severity of dysmenorrhea were evaluated in 2 successive cycles using the visual analog scale (VAS) and a questionnaire. RESULTS: Initially, 240 female students were enrolled in the study; thereafter, 40 students were excluded from the study owing to follow-up loss. The average VAS score for dysmenorrhea in the entire study population was 7.13±0.80 before the intervention; the mean VAS score after the first and second months of supplement use was 5.37±1.51 and 4.93±1.48, respectively. The highest reduction in pain severity was observed in the ginger group (F=74.54, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D, vitamin E, and ginger significantly reduced the severity of dysmenorrhea, with ginger having the most significant effect followed by vitamin D and vitamin E. Given the low risk of these supplements, more studies must be conducted on their use as opposed to analgesics.
