Effects of curcumin on menstrual pattern, premenstrual syndrome, and dysmenorrhea: A triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Afsane BahramiAsghar ZarbanHadis RezapourAkram Agha Amini FashamiGordon A FernsPublished in: Phytotherapy research : PTR (2021)
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and primary dysmenorrhea are common complaints among young women. This study evaluated the effects of curcumin supplements on symptoms of pain in young women with PMS and dysmenorrhea. A randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was undertaken. Women who suffered from both PMS and dysmenorrhea were enrolled, and were randomly allocated to the curcumin (n = 62), or placebo (n = 62) groups. Each subject received one capsule (500 mg of curcuminoid, or placebo) daily, from 7 days pre- until 3 days post-menstruation for three successive menstrual cycles. Participants recorded the severity of PMS, or dysmenorrhea using a Premenstrual Syndrome Screening Tool (PSST) and the visual analog scale, respectively. Baseline characteristics of participants did not differ between the curcumin and placebo groups. At the end of the trial, the PSST scores were significantly lower in both the curcumin (32.5 ± 9.8 vs. 21.6 ± 9.8); and placebo groups (31.7 ± 9.4 vs. 23.4 ± 12.8). There was a significant reduction of dysmenorrhea pain in both the curcumin and placebo groups (by 64% and 53.3%, respectively). Hence, curcumin had comparable effects as placebo, regarding the amelioration of symptoms of PMS and dysmenorrhea. Further studies are required with larger samples, using higher doses curcumin for longer durations, and perhaps in combination therapy.
Keyphrases
- double blind
- placebo controlled
- phase iii
- clinical trial
- phase ii
- study protocol
- open label
- combination therapy
- chronic pain
- case report
- randomized controlled trial
- physical activity
- pain management
- phase ii study
- squamous cell carcinoma
- adipose tissue
- metabolic syndrome
- depressive symptoms
- type diabetes
- postoperative pain