Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on intensity of primary dysmenorrhea

• Published in: International journal of gynecology and obstetrics 2012-04, Vol.117 (1), p.45-47
• Main Authors: Rahbar, Nahid, Asgharzadeh, Neda, Ghorbani, Raheb
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Bones, joints and connective tissue. Antiinflammatory agents; Cross-Over Studies; Dietary supplement; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Dysmenorrhea - drug therapy; Fatty Acid; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - therapeutic use; Female; Female genital diseases; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Ibuprofen; Ibuprofen - therapeutic use; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Omega-3; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Primary dysmenorrhea; Severity of Illness Index; Symptom intensity; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0020-7292; 1879-3479
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2011.11.019

Abstract Objective To examine whether dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids relieved symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea. Methods Women aged 18–22 years with primary dysmenorrhea were enrolled in a double-blind crossover study. Women assigned to group 1 (n = 47) received 1 omega-3 capsule daily for 3 months, followed by placebo for 3 months. Women in group 2 (n = 48) received placebo for 3 months, followed by omega-3 for 3 months. A washout period was performed in both groups. Participants used 400 mg of ibuprofen as a rescue dose if severe menstrual pains were experienced. Results A marked reduction in pain intensity was observed after 3 months of treatment with omega-3 fatty acids ( P < 0.05). Women who received omega-3 fatty acids required fewer rescue doses than women who received placebo ( P < 0.05). The mean numbers of ibuprofen tablets used after 3 months with omega-3 fatty acids were 4.3 ± 2.1 (group 1) and 3.2 ± 2.5 (group 2); the mean numbers of tablets used after 3 months of placebo were 5.3 ± 2.2 (group 1) and 6.0 ± 2.6 (group 2) ( P = 0.001 for both). Conclusion Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids reduced the symptom intensity of primary dysmenorrhea. Supplementation efficacy was sufficient to decrease the ibuprofen rescue dose.