Effects of Wheat Germ Extract on the Severity and Systemic Symptoms of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background:Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most common disorders in women and the main cause of absenteeism from work and school.Objectives:Considering the anti-inflammatory properties of wheat germ, the present study examined the effects of wheat germ extract on the severity and systemic symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea.Patients and Methods:This triple-blinded clinical trial was performed on 80 employed women in hospitals affiliated with Hamadan University of Medical Sciences (Hamadan, IR Iran). Subjects were allocated to two groups of 45 patients. Three 400-mg capsules of wheat germ extract or placebo were used daily٫ between the 16th day of the menstrual cycle to the fifth day of the next menstrual cycle for two consecutive months. Pain intensity was measured by a visual analogue scale thrice a day and a four-point verbal rating scale was employed to assess systemic symptoms.Results:Pain severity decreased only in the wheat germ extract group (P < 0.001) and there was no statistically significant change in the placebo group. In the wheat germ extract group, the pain severity decreased from 4.701 at baseline to 1.120 at the second cycle. The reduction in total scores of systemic symptoms of dysmenorrhea was statistically significant only in the wheat germ extract group (P < 0.001) and there was not a statistically significant change in the placebo group. It revealed statistically significant differences in systemic symptoms associated with dysmenorrhea including fatigue, headache, and mood swings in experimental group.Conclusions:Wheat germ extract seems to be an effective treatment for dysmenorrhea and its systemic symptoms, probably because of its anti-inflammatory effects.

Spiritual relaxation to reduce dysmenorrhea: a quasy experimental

“…Mild pain did not require anti-pain medication and did not affect daily activities, moderate pain slightly affected daily activities, and severe pain could hamper daily activities. Some of the results of previous studies illustrated that the intensity of menstrual pain experienced by respondents was in the moderate category [30][31][32] . In the intervention group, almost all experienced mild pain after spiritual relaxation was conducted and in the control group, most experienced moderate pain and the results of the dependent t-test showed that there was an effect of spiritual relaxation on the intensity of menstrual pain.…”

Comparison of Effectiveness of Fennel versus Vitamin (E) on Primary Dysmenorrhea among Benha University Nursing Students

“…Besides Nayeban, et al, (2014) compared the effects of vitamin E and vitamin B1 on the severity and duration of pain in primary dysmenorrhea and found that vitamin E could reduce pain duration in primary dysmenorrhea. Then Atallahi, et al, (2014) reported that the use of wheat germ extract which is rich vitamin E for two months was an effective treatment for dysmenorrhea and it's systemic symptoms, probably because of its anti-inflammatory effects. Liu and Jacobs, (2017) demonstrated that vitamin E can reduce mastalgia.…”

Functional Drinks from a Rhizome of Nut Grass (Cyperus rotundus L.) with Mixed Fruits

“…Meanwhile, the intake of K will increase the dysmenorrhoea risk while the intake of Ca, Mg and Zn is not related to dysmenorrhoea risk and also the ratio of Ca and Mg. Besides, Atallahi et al (2014) say that the diet of wheat extract (containing Mg, Zn, Ca, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate acid and iron) can reduce the systemic symptom related to dysmenorrhoea like fatigue, headache, and anxious. Teki extract still has many minerals associated with the dysmenorrhoea symptom although in a relatively little amount as the result of dilution process.…”