Treatment of Moderate to Severe of Premenstrual Syndrome with Echinophora platyloba

Background: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is the appearance of annoying symptoms, disrupting women's daily activities as well as inducing problems. Different treatment were suggested for its and the method with the least side effects will be preferred. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Echinophora platyloba extract on PMS in the students of Shahr-e-Kord University Of Medical sciences in Iran.

Patients and Methods: Sixty students having moderate to severe PMS, participated in a single-blind randomized clinical trial. The students were randomly assigned into two equal groups. The first group received the Echinophora platyloba (E. platyloba) extract and the second group received placebo. The Daily Record of Severity of Problem (DRSP) questionnaire was used to quantify PMS severity before and after the intervention. At the end of first and second cycles after the intervention, the severity of PMS was detected and compared with before intervention. Data analysis was performed by using Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon and Pearson correlation test.

Results: There was not a significant difference in the severity of premenstrual syndrome between the E. platyloba and placebo group before the intervention (100.8±22.1 vs. 104.3±19.5). A significant difference was found between two groups after the intervention [(49.7±23.2 vs. 79.1±28.1), p=0.002].

Conclusion: E. platyloba extract is probably effective in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. Using of this herbal extract is suggested for the treatment of PMS.