The effect of valerian on the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD student of reproductive health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.

2 M.Sc. of Midwifery, Rasht Al-Zahra Educational and Medical Center, Rasht, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) involves a wide variety of mood, physical, and behavioral symptoms that occur cyclically before menstruation and has negative impact on daily activities and quality of life. Due to the lack of understanding of the exact etiology of this syndrome, several treatments have been proposed. One of the therapeutic methods is use of medicinal plants. This study was performed with aim to investigate the effect of valerian on the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms.
Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was performed on 120 female students with premenstrual syndrome symptoms who were resident in female student dormitory of Rasht Islamic Azad University in 2013. They were randomly divided into two groups of case (n=60) and control (n=60). The intervention group received valerian oral capsule (530 mg Valerian root) twice a day at least 7 days before the start of menstruation for two consecutive cycles, and placebo group received placebo capsule (50 mg of carbohydrate) with same condition. Data collection tool was Dickerson questionnaire. The severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms was determined and then was compared with 1 and 2 months after the intervention. Data was analyzed with SPSS statistical software  (version 22), and t-test, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Friedman, and Wilcoxon tests. PResults: In this study, the severity of mood, physical, and behavioral symptoms and overall severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms had a significant reduction in the intervention group than the control group 1 and 2 months after using lavender (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Valerian is effective on the reduction of the severity of mood, physical, behavioral and total symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Therefore, it is recommended for premenstrual syndrome.

Keywords

References

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