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Effects of Fennel and Valerian on Relieving Primary Dysmenorrhea-Induced Pain: A Clinical Trial
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Azam Kerami1    , Ashraf Salehi1 , Hamid Momeni1 , Zahra Shasavari1 , Azadeh Nasiri1 , Mahdiyeh Azizi1 , Leila Mirshekari2 , Zahra Shokhmgar3 , Mansoureh Mahmoudi *4 , Akram Sanagoo5 |
1- Master of Nursing, Instructor, Faculty of Nursing, Khomein University of Medical Sciences, Khomein, Iran.
2- Master of Nursing, Lecturer Researcher, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3- Assistant Professor, Faculty Member, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
4- Master of Nursing, Instructor, Faculty of Nursing, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran. , ma.mahmoudi2010@gmail.com
5- Associate Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran. |
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Abstract: (3112 Views) |
Background and Objective: Conventional treatments for primary dysmenorrhea are often associated with adverse effects, including nausea, headache, and dizziness, and may be contraindicated in certain cases. In Iranian traditional medicine texts, fennel is recommended for pain relief and the induction of menstruation; it also exhibits antiemetic and antinauseant effects. Valerian is a traditional Indian medicinal plant that has been utilized as a sedative, antispasmodic, and hypnotic agent. The present study aimed to determine the effects of fennel and valerian herbal medicines on relieving primary dysmenorrhea-induced pain.
Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 120 single girls with primary dysmenorrhea who referred to healthcare centers in Khomein, Iran, in 2019. The subjects were selected via a convenience sampling method and randomly allocated into the control, first intervention, and second intervention groups. The control group received mefenamic acid capsules (250 mg), the first intervention group received fennel capsules (30 mg of sweet fennel essential oil), and the second intervention group received valerian capsules (350 mg of plant root) over two consecutive menstrual cycles. Pain severity was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS) during two consecutive menstrual cycles prior to the intervention and two consecutive menstrual cycles following the initiation of the intervention (a total of four cycles).
Results: At the end of the study, the primary dysmenorrhea-induced pain severity significantly decreased in all three studied groups (P<0.05); however, this pain relief was significantly greater in the valerian-receiving group (the first intervention group) compared to the fennel-receiving (the second intervention group) and mefenamic acid-receiving (the control group) (P<0.05). The odds ratio (OR) of experiencing higher pain severity in the first and second intervention groups compared to the control group was determined to be 0.23 (95% CI: 0.07-0.72, P=0.013) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.28-0.93, P=0.028), respectively.
Conclusion: Valerian and fennel herbal medicines can be utilized as effective alternatives with fewer adverse effects compared to mefenamic acid for relieving primary dysmenorrhea-induced pain. |
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Keywords: Pain [MeSH], Dysmenorrhea [MeSH], Plants, Medicinal [MeSH], Foeniculum [MeSH], Hibiscus [MeSH], Mefenamic Acid [MeSH]
Article ID: Vol28-03 |
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Full-Text [PDF 1101 kb]
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Type of Study: Original Articles |
Subject:
Health System
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Kerami A, Salehi A, Momeni H, Shasavari Z, Nasiri A, Azizi M, et al . Effects of Fennel and Valerian on Relieving Primary Dysmenorrhea-Induced Pain: A Clinical Trial. J Gorgan Univ Med Sci 2026; 28 (1) :20-28 URL: http://goums.ac.ir/journal/article-1-4609-en.html
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