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Effects of valerian on the severity and systemic manifestations of dysmenorrhea
Author(s) -
Mirabi Parvaneh,
Dolatian Mahrokh,
Mojab Faraze,
Majd Hamid Alavi
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2011.06.022
Subject(s) - medicine , valerian , placebo , visual analogue scale , antispasmodic , randomized controlled trial , anesthesia , physical therapy , traditional medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
Objective To evaluate the impact of valerian—a herb with sedative effects and antispasmodic effects on smooth muscles—on the severity of dysmenorrhea. Methods In a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial, 100 students were randomly assigned to receive valerian (n = 49) or placebo (n = 51). Valerian (dose 255 mg) was given 3 times daily for 3 days beginning at the onset of menstruation, for 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. At baseline and during the intervention cycles, the pain severity was evaluated with a visual analog scale and the systemic manifestations were assessed using a multidimensional verbal scale. Results The pain severity at baseline did not differ significantly between the groups. After the intervention, the pain severity was significantly reduced in both groups ( P < 0.001), but the extent of the reduction was larger in the valerian group, with the difference between the 2 groups being statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The total scores of the systemic manifestations associated with dysmenorrhea decreased after the intervention, but there was no significant difference between the groups, with the exception for syncope ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Valerian seems to be an effective treatment for dysmenorrhea, probably because of its antispasmodic effects.