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Effect of omega‐3 fatty acids on intensity of primary dysmenorrhea
Author(s) -
Rahbar Nahid,
Asgharzadeh Neda,
Ghorbani Raheb
Publication year - 2012
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.2011.11.019
Subject(s) - medicine , placebo , ibuprofen , crossover study , gastroenterology , placebo group , polyunsaturated fatty acid , double blind , group b , fatty acid , anesthesia , pharmacology , biochemistry , chemistry , alternative medicine , pathology
Abstract Objective To examine whether dietary supplementation with omega‐3 fatty acids relieved symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea. Methods Women aged 18–22 years with primary dysmenorrhea were enrolled in a double‐blind crossover study. Women assigned to group 1 (n = 47) received 1 omega‐3 capsule daily for 3 months, followed by placebo for 3 months. Women in group 2 (n = 48) received placebo for 3 months, followed by omega‐3 for 3 months. A washout period was performed in both groups. Participants used 400 mg of ibuprofen as a rescue dose if severe menstrual pains were experienced. Results A marked reduction in pain intensity was observed after 3 months of treatment with omega‐3 fatty acids ( P < 0.05). Women who received omega‐3 fatty acids required fewer rescue doses than women who received placebo ( P < 0.05). The mean numbers of ibuprofen tablets used after 3 months with omega‐3 fatty acids were 4.3 ± 2.1 (group 1) and 3.2 ± 2.5 (group 2); the mean numbers of tablets used after 3 months of placebo were 5.3 ± 2.2 (group 1) and 6.0 ± 2.6 (group 2) ( P = 0.001 for both). Conclusion Supplementation with omega‐3 fatty acids reduced the symptom intensity of primary dysmenorrhea. Supplementation efficacy was sufficient to decrease the ibuprofen rescue dose.