[Efficacy of foeniculum vulgare mill extract on menstrual bleeding over the students of Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran 2005]

Menstrual bleeding is a reaction of periodic falling secretary endometrial for the reason that decreases production of estradiol and progesterone. In traditional medicine, Foeniculum vulgare Mill is used as a tonic, sedative, galactogogue drug and increases menstrual bleeding. This study aimed to determine efficacy of Foeniculum vulgare Mill extract on menstrual bleeding severity and duration over the students of Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran 2005. This study was done as a placebo-control, double blind, randomized clinical trial. Bleeding severity and duration was assessed at baseline and throughout two menstrual cycle of the investigation using validated questionnaires. Ninety women, completed the study [n=46 treatment group, n=44 placebo group]. The medicines capsules containing 46mg of Foeniculum vulgare Mill extract in treatment group, and same shape placebo capsules in placebo group, administered as soon as onset of pain feeling or bleeding, five capsules a day and continued for at least three days. The data analysis with repeated measurements showed that after treatment in none of groups, average of menstrual bleeding severity and duration in comparison with before the treatment did not increase and there was no significant difference between two groups. This study suggested that Foeniculum vulgare extract and placebo do not increase menstrual bleeding severity and duration. Studies showed that Foeniculum vulgare essential oil has ability to inhibit uterus contractions and increase menstrual bleeding, but this study showed that the extract had no effect on menstrual bleeding

[ effect of massage on intensity of pain during first stage of labor]

Labor and birth are two important aspects of human life. At the same time, labor pain is a serious concern for every pregnant woman, Massage as a non pharmacological techniques is a way to overcome this difficulty. Research findings demonstrate that massage has especially positive effects in reducing not only pain, but also stress. Our study has been conducted to determine the effects of massage on intensity of pain during the first stage of labor in primiparous women who have attended Isfahan Shahid Beheshti hospital in 2005. In this randomize clinical trial, a total of 75 primiparous women in 38-42 week of low risk pregnancy were randomly divided in 3 groups. First group received 20 minutes of back effleurage massage at the periods of 4-5 cm, 6-7 cm, 8-10 cm, cervical dilation. An emotional support was offered for second group in the same duration of time and the same cervical dilation. Third group just received routine care during labor. In all groups, pregnant women were asked to evaluate their severity of pain before and after intervention. Data being obtained through the visual analogue scale, check list and inspection form. Study result demonstrated that intensity of pain was significantly lower in massage group [p< 0.001]. Intensity of pain in supported group was consistent during 4-5 cm dilatation period and 8-10 cm but during 6-7 cm period there was an increase in severity of pain. In routine care group severity of pain increased in every stage. Receiving back massage is more effective than supporting and routine care for relieving labor pain

[Clinical effects of foeniculum vulgare extract an systemic symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea in students of Shaheed Beheshti University in Tehran]

Primary dysmenorrhea [PD] is a common gynecology problem in women. It is defined as a menstrual pain that occur in the absence of a pelvica disorder. PD causes school absence and restriction for many women and girls. Pain is the main complaint of PD but other systemic symptoms like headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, irritability and dizziness are common. Many chemical drugs have been used to manage dysmenorrhea, but most of them have side effects. Foeniculum vulgare is a plant used as an anti spasmodic agent. In this placebo-control, double - blind, randomized clinical trial, the effects of foeniculum vulgare extract on severity of symptoms of PF were evaluated. Severity of symptoms was assessed at baseline and throughout two menstrual cycles by using validated questionnaires. 90 single women between 17-30 suffered from primary dysmenorrhea participated in the study [n=44 experiment, n=46 placebo].The agent [capsules contained 46mg of foeniculum vulgare in the experimental group, and similar capsules in placebo group] was administered as soon as the onset of pain or bleeding five times a day for maximum of three days. Severity of systematic symptoms was assessed with Andersch and Milsom's verbal multidimensional scoring system. In order to analyze data, Friedman as well as Mann-Whitney tests and ANOVA with repeated measurements were used. Mean age was 20.78 +2.33 in the treatment group and 20.57+ 2.02 in the placebo. In comparison with baseline, the severity of all systematic symptoms decreased in both groups [except for the headache which increased slightly] but this reduction was not significant between the two groups. Statistical significance was not observed for systematic symptoms except for one of them, fatigue, which was in borderline limit [p=0.058]. In this study, no side effects of foeniculum vulgare wasseen. The foeniculum vulgare extract does not have sufficient effect on relief of systematic symptoms accompanying with dysmenorrhea except for fatigue which is decreased