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The effect of mefenamic acid and ginger on pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized clinical trial

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics volume 291, pages 1277–1281 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of mefenamic acid and ginger on pain management in primary dysmenorrhea.

Methods

One hundred and twenty-two female students with moderate to severe primary dysmenorrhea were randomly allocated to the ginger and mefenamic groups in a randomized clinical trial. The mefenamic group received 250 mg capsules every 8 h, and the ginger group received 250 mg capsules (zintoma) every 6 h from the onset of menstruation until pain relief lasted 2 cycles. The intensity of pain was assessed by the visual analog scale. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t test, Chi-square, Fisher exact test and repeated measurement.

Results

The pain intensity in the mefenamic and ginger group was 39.01 ± 17.77 and 43.49 ± 19.99, respectively, in the first month, and 33.75 ± 17.71 and 38.19 ± 20.47, respectively, in the second month (p > 0.05). The severity of dysmenorrhea, pain duration, cycle duration and bleeding volume was not significantly different between groups during the study. The menstrual days were more in the ginger group in the first (p = 0.01) and second cycle (p = 0.04). Repeated measurement showed a significant difference in pain intensity within the groups by time, but not between groups.

Conclusion

Ginger is as effective as mefenamic acid on pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea. Ginger does not have adverse effects and is an alternative treatment for primary dysmenorrhea.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the vice-chancellor for research of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences for support this study. Our special thanks to students who participated in this study.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Ethical standard

This research has been approved by Ethics Committee of this deputy, conformity with Declaration of Helsinki.

Informed consent

All persons gave their informed consent prior to their inclusion in the study.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Amir Mazandarani Boulevard, Vesal St., Sari, Iran

    Marjan Ahmad Shirvani & Narges Motahari-Tabari

  2. Department of Community Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Khazar Road, Sari, Iran

    Abbas Alipour

Authors
  1. Marjan Ahmad Shirvani
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  2. Narges Motahari-Tabari
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  3. Abbas Alipour
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Correspondence to Narges Motahari-Tabari.

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Shirvani, M.A., Motahari-Tabari, N. & Alipour, A. The effect of mefenamic acid and ginger on pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized clinical trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet 291, 1277–1281 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-014-3548-2

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Keywords

  • Ginger
  • Mefenamic acid
  • Pain relief
  • Primary dysmenorrhea