The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The effect of fennel on the amount and duration of menstrual bleeding: A quasi-experimental study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Roya Motavalli 1
Samira Shahbazzadegan 2
1 Instructor, Department of Midwifery, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran. PhD student in Midwifery, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2024.77747.5982
Abstract
Introduction: With the increasing use of medicinal plants in the treatment of some diseases, studying their side effects is very important. One of these herbal medicines is fennel that various results have been reported regarding its side-effects on the amount of menstrual bleeding, therefore, the present research was conducted with aim to investigate the effect of fennel on the amount and duration of menstrual bleeding.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed in 2016 on 50 students with primary dysmenorrhea living in the dormitories of Islamic Azad University, Ardabil. Participants were examined in three consecutive menstrual cycles. In the first cycle, participants did not take any medication; in the second and third cycles, in the first 3 days of menstruation they used fennel of 3-5 drops in water or tea three times a day. The standard Higham chart was used to determine the amount and duration of bleeding. Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 17) and Paired-t test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean amount of bleeding before consuming fennel was 46.7±24.8 and in two consecutive cycles after consuming fennel were 48.4±26.2 and 49.5±24.3, respectively, which was not statistically significant. Moreover, no significant difference was observed in the duration of menstrual bleeding before the treatment (6.13±1.33) compared to two consecutive cycles after fennel consuming (6.82±1.45 and 6.26±1.02) (P>0.005).
Conclusion: In the present study, fennel consumption had no effect on the amount and duration of menstrual bleeding. To determine the definitive result and the safety use of fennel, conducting more studies is recommended.
Keywords
Fennel
Herbal medicine
Menstrual bleeding duration
Menstrual bleeding volume
Primary dysmenorrhea
Side effect
Subjects

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 27, Issue 1
March 2024
Pages 55-62