Comparison of the effect of vitamin E, vitamin D and ginger on the severity of primary dysmenorrhea: a single-blind clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common problems for women, especially during their reproductive age. Various studies have examined the effects of vitamins D and E and ginger supplements. This study aimed to investigate the individual effects of each of these supplements on dysmenorrhea. METHODS: This single-blind clinical trial was conducted in 2016 on students aged 18 to 25 years who complained of mild to severe dysmenorrhea. The participants were randomly assigned into 4 groups: vitamin D, vitamin E, ginger, and placebo. The effects of the supplements on the severity of dysmenorrhea were evaluated in 2 successive cycles using the visual analog scale (VAS) and a questionnaire. RESULTS: Initially, 240 female students were enrolled in the study; thereafter, 40 students were excluded from the study owing to follow-up loss. The average VAS score for dysmenorrhea in the entire study population was 7.13±0.80 before the intervention; the mean VAS score after the first and second months of supplement use was 5.37±1.51 and 4.93±1.48, respectively. The highest reduction in pain severity was observed in the ginger group (F=74.54, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D, vitamin E, and ginger significantly reduced the severity of dysmenorrhea, with ginger having the most significant effect followed by vitamin D and vitamin E. Given the low risk of these supplements, more studies must be conducted on their use as opposed to analgesics.

Low-dose hCG as trigger day and 35 hr later have different ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome occurrence in females undergoing In vitro fertilization: an RCT

Background: ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome [OHSS] is an iatrogenic complication, which can cause high morbidity and mortality. Use of gonadotropin releasing hormone [GnRH] agonist instead of human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] in GnRH antagonist cycles causes luteinizing hormone surge by GnRH stimulation which reduces the risk of OHSS by reducing the total amount of gonadotropin; however, there is no possibility of transferring fresh embryos

Objective: the current study aimed to evaluate the effect of hCG along with GnRH agonist administration in the occurrence of OHSS and pregnancy rate in females undergoing in vitro fertilization

Materials and Methods: the current randomized clinical trial was conducted on 80 cases in 2 groups. Gonal-F was used to stimulate the oocyte from the second day of menstruation. When follicle size was 12-14 mm, GnRH antagonist was added to the protocol till the detection of more than two follicles greater than 18 mm. Then, GnRH agonist was added to the protocol as a trigger. In group A, 35 hr after the administration of GnRH agonist, the low-dose human hCG, 1500 IU, was used. In group B, low-dose hCG, 1500 IU, was used at the same time by GnRH agonist administration. The rate of pregnancy, OHSS, and its severity were compared between 2 groups within 2 wk

Results: there was no significant difference regarding chemical and clinical pregnancies between the 2 groups. Severe OHSS was significantly higher in group B [p= 0.03]

Conclusion: administration of hCG 35 hr after GnRH agonist administration results in lower rate of severe OHSS

Superoxide dismutase activities in plasma of patients with breast cancer

Superoxide radicals are produced during oxidative metabolic processes, and removed by superoxide dismutase [SOD] enzymes. Controversial results have been reported regarding the tissue and plasma concentration of SOD in patients with breast cancer. Venous blood was obtained from study participants and activity of SOD enzyme was determined in 100 women. Comparison was made between 50 patients with breast cancer and 50 individuals in control group. The activities of SOD in patients with malignancy and control group were 553.56 +/- 53.67 U/gr Hb and 1218.60 +/- 98.55 U/gr Hb, respectively [P <0.001]. Patients with higher stage and nuclear grade had lower SOD activity. lower levels of SOD activity was observed in women with breast cancer compared to healthy individuals. Considering the existing controversy regarding the SOD level in breast cancer patients, further studies to explore the reason of these differences are warranted