Available online 2 July 2015
Abstract
Introduction
Premenstrual
syndrome is one of the most common problems for women during their
reproductive age and has wider impacts affecting their family and their
work. Herbal products are a suggested way of treating the syndrome. This
research was carried out to identify whether saffron could have an
effect on the severity of premenstrual syndrome among female students.
Methods
This
randomized triple-blind controlled clinical trial was carried out with
78 students aged 18–35 years residing in university accommodation. The
intervention group received capsules containing 30 mg of dried extract
of saffron stigma once a day and the control group received placebo
capsules for two menstrual cycles. The data gathering instrument
consisted of questionnaire, the DASS21 scale, and premenstrual symptoms
assessment form.
Results
At the beginning of the study, the two groups did not differ significantly in terms of their mean severity of PMS (P = 0.81).
At the end of the study, the changes of the mean severity of PMS were
significantly different compared with those in the beginning: P < 0.001 for the intervention group, and p = 0.04
for the control group. In total, the two groups had significant
differences in terms of changes in the mean severity of PMS over time (P < 0.001).
Conclusion
The
results of this study suggest that saffron reduces the severity of PMS
symptoms, but in order to prove its effectiveness for the treatment of
this syndrome, further research is warranted.
Keywords
- Premenstrual syndrome;
- Saffron;
- Crocus sativus;
- Randomized controlled trial
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