Objective: High blood cholesterol is one of the signifi cant risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Increased cholesterol levels contribute to atherosclerosis, which causes platelet aggregation and increases the risk of blood clots in the arteries. Previous research has investigated relationships of elevated serum cholesterol with anxiety disorders. The current study aims to assess levels of serum lipid, lipoprotein concentrations and platelets in individuals with high and low anxiety. Methods: Of a total of 1,038 subjects, 142 healthy men were randomly selected. All participants were asked to complete the Spielberger’s self-reported state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI). Participants with scores higher than 46 and lower than 34 were included in high anxiety group (n=28) and low anxiety group (n=69), respectively. Levels of fasting serum lipids, including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides and platelets were compared between the two groups. The data were analyzed using independent samples t-test and correlation coeffi cient test. Results: The levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were signifi cantly higher in the high anxiety group (P<0.001). There were no signifi cant differences in the levels of triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and platelets. Conclusion

BACKGROUNDDysmenorrhea is a common gynecologic problem. In some cases, non-medical treatments are considered to be more effective, with fewer side effects. Ginger and exercise are alternative treatments for dysmenorrhea, but in the present study they were not combined.

OBJECTIVEIn this study, the effects of ginger and exercise on primary dysmenorrhea were compared.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONSThis randomized controlled trial was performed in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Two groups of female students were recruited by simple random allocation. In each group, 61 students with moderate to severe primary dysmenorrhea with regular menstrual cycles and without a history of regular exercise were assessed. The ginger group received 250 mg ginger capsules from the onset of menstruation. In the exercise group, belly and pelvic stretching exercises were performed for 10 min, 3 times per week.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESIntensity of pain was assessed according to a visual analogue scale after the first and the second month.

RESULTSExercise was significantly more effective than ginger for pain relief (31.57 ± 16.03 vs 38.19 ± 20.47, P = 0.02), severity of dysmenorrhea (63.9% vs 44.3% mild dysmenorrhea, P = 0.02) and decrease in menstrual duration (6.08 ± 1.22 vs 6.67 ± 1.24, P = 0.006), in the second cycle.

CONCLUSIONStretching exercises, as a safe and low-cost treatment, are more effective than ginger for pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea.

TRIAL REGISTRATIONThe trial was registered in www.IRCT.ir with No. 201203118822N2.