The Journal oI Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Comparison of Effects of Ginger, Mefenamic

Acid, and Ibuprofen on Pain in Women with
Primary Dysmenorrhea

To cite this article:
Giti Ozgoli, Marjan Goli, and Fariborz Moattar. The Journal oI Alternative and Complementary
Medicine. February 2009, 15(2): 129-132. doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0311.

Published in Volume: 15 Issue 2: February 23, 2009
Online Ahead oI Print: February 13, 2009

Full Text: PDF Ior printing (60.5 KB) PDF w/ links (105.1 KB)


Giti Ozgoli, M.Sc.
Nursing and MidwiIery School, Shahid Beheshti University oI Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Marjan Goli, M.Sc.
Nursing and MidwiIery School, Islamic Azad University oI NajaIabad, IsIahan, Iran.
Fariborz Moattar, Ph.D.
Faculty oI Pharmacy, IsIahan University oI Medical Sciences, IsIahan, Iran.
Abstract
Objectives: To compare the eIIects oI ginger, meIenamic acid, and ibuproIen on pain in women
with primary dysmenorrhea.
Methods: This was a double-blind comparative clinical trial conducted Irom September 2006 to
February 2007. Participants were 150 students (18 years old and over) with primary
dysmenorrhea Irom the dormitories oI two medical universities who were alternately divided into
three equal groups. Students in the ginger group took 250 mg capsules oI ginger rhizome powder
Iour times a day Ior three days Irom the start oI their menstrual period. Members oI the other
groups received 250 mg meIenamic acid or 400 mg ibuproIen capsules, respectively, on the same
protocol. A verbal multidimensional scoring system was used Ior assessing the severity oI
primary dysmenorrhea. Severity oI disease, pain relieI, and satisIaction with the treatment were
compared between the groups aIter one menstruation.
Results: There were not signiIicant diIIerences between groups in baseline characteristics, 5 ~
0.05. At the end oI treatment, severity oI dysmenorrhea decreased in all groups and no
diIIerences were Iound between the groups in severity oI dysmenorrhea, pain relieI, or
satisIaction with the treatment, 5 ~ 0.05. No severe side eIIects occurred.
onclusion: Ginger was as eIIective as meIenamic acid and ibuproIen in relieving pain in
women with primary dysmenorrhea. Further studies regarding the eIIects oI ginger on other
symptoms associated with dysmenorrhea and eIIicacy and saIety oI various doses and treatment
durations oI ginger are warranted.