effect of melatonin on climacteric symptoms in menopausal women; a double-blind, randomized controlled, clinical trial

Menopause is one of the most critical periods of woman's life. With reducing of ovarian estrogen; women are more prone to psychological and physical symptoms. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin on the climacteric symptoms. The present double blind, placebo randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 240 menopausal women [40 - 60 years old] referring to the gynecology clinics of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences [January - November 2012]. The participants were randomly divided into two groups through sortition. Demographic characteristics, Goldberg's general health questionnaire [GHQ], Greene Climacteric Scale and level of Follicle Stimulating Hormone [FSH] were determined for both groups before the intervention. The intervention group received one 3mg melatonin tablet each night for 3 months and the control group received the placebo in the same period. Changes of climacteric symptoms and drug complications were measured 1, 2 and 3 months after the intervention We analyzed the data of 99 postmenopausal women in the intervention group and 101 postmenopausal women in the control group. In the melatonin group, the climacteric symptoms score decreased from 35.73+11.6 to 17.09+10.22 during the 3-month study period and regardless of time, a significant difference was observed between the two groups [P<0.001]. In addition, a significant difference was found between the two groups regarding various dimensions of the climacteric symptoms over time [P<0.001]. No significant difference was found regarding side effects between the two groups [P= 0.135]. The study findings showed that using melatonin improved the climacteric symptoms

Comparison between aspirin and placebo on the mean of 24 hour blood pressure in pregnant women at preeclampsia risk, a double blind randomized controlled clinical trial

Gestational hypertension is one of the three common causes of maternal death. This study was designed to compare the effects of aspirin and placebo on 24 hour blood pressure mean in women at risk of preeclampsia in two different diurnal times to prevent preeclampsia. Sixty four women who were at risk of gestational hypertension were recruited to be included in the study using convenience sampling method and divided into 4 groups by random allocation. Control groups one and two received placebo tablet. Experimental groups one and two received aspirin tablets [100 mg] in the morning and at night, respectively, one tablet a day every day starting at the time of recruitment and continued till 32nd week of gestation, by double blind method. The patients' blood pressure was monitored at the end of each month for 24 consecutive hours from 12 to16 weeks until delivery. Data were analyzed using repeated measures design and along with multiple comparative tests in SPSS software [version 8.0]. In Aspirin and control group K systolic and diastolic BP mean variations were similar, [P=0.835 and P=0.705 for systole and diastole, respectively]. In Aspirin and control group 2, systolic and diastolic BP mean variations were statistically significant, [for systole and diastole P<0.001]. Mean reduction for systole was 14.12 mmHg in 32nd week and 12.12 mmHg in 40th week and for diastole it was 11.69 mmHg in 32nd week and 9.04 mmHg in 40th week. Taking aspirin at night is more effective on 24-hour blood pressure mean reduction in women at preeclampsia risk compared with that in the morning. IRCT138803211548N5