The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

Effect of oral antioxidants supplement (Vitamin E and Omega3) on Frequency and Intensity of hot flashes in postmenopausal women.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Maryam Honarjoo 1
Mitra Tadayon 2
Parvin Abedi 3
1 M.Sc. of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jondi Shapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
2 Instructor of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Research Center of menopause in women and men, Ahvaz Jondi Shapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
3 Assistant professor, Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Research Center of menopause in women and men, Ahvaz Jondi Shapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
10.22038/ijogi.2015.3997
Abstract
Introduction: Increased hope to life and problems of complications of menopausal period and outcomes caused by hormone-therapy have led to people tendency to use complementary and alternative medicine. Antioxidants have an important role in prevention of menopause complications. This study was performed with the aim to evaluate the effectof oral antioxidants supplement (vitamin E & omega3) on hot flash in postmenopausal women.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental interventional study was performed on 72 postmenopausal women in Ahvaz at 2011-2012. The subjects were divided in two groups of control and intervention. In the experimental group, treatment was performed with oral antioxidants supplement (850 mg capsule, daily) for 12 weeks. The study's tools were the form of demographic and underlying characteristics and the form of weekly recording of frequency and intensity of hot flash. Data was analyzed using SPSS software (version 18) and Paired T-test and Repeated Measure. PResults: The mean frequency of hot flush decreased in intervention group from 5.66 ± 1.44 to 3.86 ±1.13 and intensity of hot flushes decreased from 2.47±0.37 to 2.08±0.3 (P=0.0001) in the day. After the end of 12th weeks of treatment, mean improvement of frequency of hot flash was 31.9% and mean improvement of intensity of hot flash was15.16% (P=0.0001). Two group were significantly different in terms of frequency (P=0.002) and intensity (P=0.003) of hot flashes.
Conclusions: Oral antioxidants supplement can be used as a method of complementary and alternative medicine to reducefrequency and intensity of hot flashes during menopause.
Keywords
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Hot flash
Menopause
Omega3
Vitamin E
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