Positive Health Online

Abstract

SHARGHI and COLLEAGUES, 1 Student Research Committee, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IR Iran; 2 Department of Biology, School of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, IR Iran.;3 Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran; 4 Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, IR Iran; 5 Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran; 6 Student Research Committee, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, IR Iran; 7 Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran; 8 Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IR Iran; 9 Nursing Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, IR Iran sought to investigate and offer an updated perspective on the treatments for dysmenorrhea.

Background

Primary dysmenorrhea is a painful uterine contraction caused by endometrial laceration. Drug therapies and complementary medicine have been used to treat dysmenorrhea. The aim of this study was to investigate and offer an updated perspective on the treatments for dysmenorrhea.

Methodology

The present study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA checklist for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The required information was collected based on searches for the following keywords: treatment, primary dysmenorrhea, medicinal plants, chemical drugs, and herbs. Searches were performed on databases PubMed, Web of Sciences, Scopus, Iran Medex, and SID by March 2018 to find literature in the English and Persian languages on this subject without a time limit.

Results

This review included 17 papers, 10 of which on complementary medicine, three on drug therapies, and four on acupuncture and acupressure. The largest and smallest samples had 303 and 24 patients, respectively. Length of treatment ranged from one to six months and the measures most commonly used in the studies were the visual analogue scale and clinical efficacy. Reported complications included gastrointestinal events, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and liver and kidney disorders.

Conclusion

Medicinal plants, drugs, and acupressure seem to suppress pain by reducing the level of prostaglandins, mediating nitric oxide, increasing beta-endorphin levels, blocking the calcium channel, and enhancing circulatory flow through the uterine pathway. Further trials are required to confirm the benefits of the procedures described and ensure the absence of complications.

References

Maedeh Sharghi  1 , Shabnam Malekpour Mansurkhani  2 , Damoon Ashtary Larky  3 , Wesam Kooti  4 , Mehdi Niksefat  5 , Mohammad Firoozbakht  6 , Masoud Behzadifar  7 , Milad Azami  8 , Karo Servatyari  1 , Leila Jouybari  9. An update and systematic review on the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. JBRA Assist Reprod.  ;23(1):51-57. doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20180083. Jan 31 2019.

 

Comment

The above research indicates that complementary medicine treatments including medicinal plants and acupressure appear to suppress pain in women suffering from primary dysmenorrhea. Further research trials are required to confirm these treatment benefits and ensure the absence of complications.