Comparison of the Effect of Fish Oil and Vitamin E on the Severity of Cyclic Mastalgia

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 M.Sc. Student of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Ph.D. Student of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: One of the most common complaints in women is mastalgia and use of vitamin E is one of the common treatments. Considering the benefits of fish oil and similarity of its mechanisms with vitamin E, this study was performed with purpose of comparing the effects of fish oil and vitamin E on the severity of cyclic mastalgia.
Methods: In a double blind clinical trial, 70 women 15 to 49 years with cyclical mastalgia who referred to three clinics in Mashhad city were randomly divided into two groups (35 cases in each group). Fish oil 3 g/day was given to one group and vitamin E 400 IU/day to other group for a period of two months. Severity of cyclic mastalgia was assessed by visual analogue scale and McGill pain questionnaire before intervention and one and two months after treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 11.5) and Chi-square test, pair t-test, independent t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Mean scores of McGill pain questionnaire and mean scores of pain severity using visual analogue scale has decreased before and after intervention in both groups (p<0.001). While no statistically significant difference were found in term of McGill pain questionnaire and visual analogue scale scores in two groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Satisfaction of taking fish oil in reducing the severity of cyclic mastalgia is more than vitamin E, also fish oil and vitamin E have similar therapeutic effects and could be used as therapeutic alternatives in the treatment of cyclic mastalgia.
 

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