CYBERMED LIFE - ORGANIC  & NATURAL LIVING

Premenopausal Disorders

  • Does lavender aromatherapy alleviate premenstrual emotional symptoms?: a randomized crossover trial📎

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    Abstract Title:

    Does lavender aromatherapy alleviate premenstrual emotional symptoms?: a randomized crossover trial.

    Abstract Source:

    Biopsychosoc Med. 2013 May 31 ;7(1):12. Epub 2013 May 31. PMID: 23724853

    Abstract Author(s):

    Tamaki Matsumoto, Hiroyuki Asakura, Tatsuya Hayashi

    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND: A majority of reproductive-age women experience a constellation of various symptoms in the premenstrual phase, commonly known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Despite its prevalence, however, no single treatment is universally recognized as effective, and many women turn to alternative approaches, including aromatherapy, a holistic mind and body treatment. The present study investigated the soothing effects of aromatherapy on premenstrual symptoms using lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), a relaxing essential oil, from the perspective of autonomic nervous system function. METHODS: Seventeen women (20.6 +/- 0.2 years) with mild to moderate subjective premenstrual symptoms participated in a randomized crossover study. Subjects were examined on two separate occasions (aroma and control trials) in the late-luteal phases. Two kinds of aromatic stimulation (lavender and water as a control) were used. This experiment measured heart rate variability (HRV) reflecting autonomic nerve activity and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) as a psychological index before and after the aromatic stimulation. RESULTS: Only a 10-min inhalation of the lavender scent significantly increased the high frequency (HF) power reflecting parasympathetic nervous system activity in comparison with water (aroma effect: F = 4.50, p = 0.050; time effect: F = 5.59, p = 0.017; aroma x time effect: F = 3.17, p = 0.047). The rate of increase in HF power was greater at 10--15 min (p = 0.051) and 20--25 min (p = 0.023) in the lavender trial than in the control trial with water. In addition, POMS tests revealed that inhalation of the aromatic lavender oil significantly decreased two POMS subscales---depression--dejection (p = 0.045) and confusion (p = 0.049)---common premenstrual symptoms, in the late-luteal phase, as long as 35 min after the aroma stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicated that lavender aromatherapy as a potential therapeutic modality could alleviate premenstrual emotional symptoms, which, at least in part, is attributable to the improvement of parasympathetic nervous system activity. This study further implies that HRV could evaluate the efficacy of aromatherapy using various fragrances to relieve premenstrual symptoms, and ultimately, support the mind and body health of women.

    Article Published Date : May 30, 2013

  • Effects of homeopathic treatment in women with premenstrual syndrome: a pilot study.

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    Abstract Title:

    Effects of homeopathic treatment in women with premenstrual syndrome: a pilot study.

    Abstract Source:

    Br Homeopath J. 2001 Jul;90(3):148-53. PMID: 11479782

    Abstract Author(s):

    M Yakir, S Kreitler, A Brzezinski, G Vithoulkas, M Oberbaum, Z Bentwich

    Article Affiliation:

    The Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Abstract:

    Alternative therapies in general, and homeopathy in particular, lack clear scientific evaluation of efficacy. Controlled clinical trials are urgently needed, especially for conditions that are not helped by conventional methods. The objective of this work was to assess the efficacy of homeopathic treatment in relieving symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It was a randomised controlled double-blind clinical trial. Two months baseline assessment with post-intervention follow-up for 3 months was conducted at Hadassah Hospital outpatient gynaecology clinic in Jerusalem in Israel 1992-1994. The subjects were 20 women, aged 20-48, suffering from PMS. Homeopathic intervention was chosen individually for each patient, according to a model of symptom clusters. Recruited volunteers with PMS were treated randomly with one oral dose of a homeopathic medication or placebo. The main outcome measure was scores of a daily menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ) before and after treatment. Psychological tests for suggestibility were used to examine the possible effects of suggestion. Mean MDQ scores fell from 0.44 to 0.13 (P<0.05) with active treatment, and from 0.38 to 0.34 with placebo (NS). (Between group P=0.057). Improvement>30% was observed in 90% of patients receiving active treatment and 37.5% receiving placebo (P=0.048). Homeopathic treatment was found to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of PMS in comparison to placebo. The use of symptom clusters in this trial may offer a novel approach that will facilitate clinical trials in homeopathy. Further research is in progress.

    Article Published Date : Jul 01, 2001

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