Dismenorréia / Dysmenorrhea

A dismenorréia é caracterizada por uma severa dor uterina durante o período menstrual. É um quadro que, apesar de ser muito freqüente, não tem um diagnóstico preciso dificultando conhecer sua real prevalência entre as mulheres. Pode ser primária ou secundária (decorrentes de causas orgânicas) e pode coexistir com perda sangüínea volumosa. Poderá preceder o período menstrual em vários dias ou simplesmente acompanhar este momento. O seu diagnóstico diferencial se baseia na anamnese e no exame físico, podendo haver necessidade de métodos auxiliares, como ultra-sonografia transvaginal, histeroscopia e laparoscopia. Além da dor pélvica cíclica, outros sintomas podem associar-se com a dismenorréia primária, resultand, freqüentemente em alterações psicológicas. Este quadro álgico associa-se à ação de prostaglandinas decorrentes da queda prévia dos níveis de progesterona na fase pré-menstruação. Os antiinflamatórios não hormonais, seguidos pelos contraceptivos orais, são a forma mais comum de tratamento, embora existam alternativas.

Effects of Aromatherapy on Menstrual Cramps and Dysmenorrhea in College Student Woman: A Blind Randomized Clinical Trial / 성인간호학회지

This study was designed to verify the effect of aromatherapy on menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea by a quasi experiment (nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design), from March to October, 2000. The subjects of this experiment consisted of 45 college women with menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea. They were randomized by 25 for the experimental group and 20 for the control group. Their mean age was 20.6 years, mean menstrual period 28.7 days, mean menstrual cramps(VAS) 7.25, mean dysmenorrhea (Dysmenorrhea Scale) was 27.34. As treatment, aromatherapy was to give effleurrage of the abdomen with lavender, clary sage and rose as aroma oil, almond oil as carrier oil. For the control group, abdominal massage was given with only almond oil. Data collection included menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea, the change of symptoms(low abdominal pain, lumbago, headache, nausea, fatigue, edema). Menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea and general, menstrual characteristics of subjects were measured the first day of the pre menstrual period before treatment (pre-test), menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea, the change of symptoms were measured the first and second day of post menstrual period after treatment (posttest). Data were analyzed by t-test, X2-test, repeated measures ANOVA, Cronbach's alpha with SAS Program. The results of this study was as follows; 1. Menstrual cramps was significantly lower in the experimental group(p = .001). 2. Dysmenorrhea was significantly lower in the experimental group(p = .027). 3.Less women in the experimental group complained about the six symptoms than women in the control group after treatment on the first day of the menstrual period(p <0.05, p <0.01) In conclusion, these findings indicate that aromatherapy with lavender, clary sage, and rose could be effective to decrease menstrual cramps, and dysmenorrhea. So, aromatherapy could be applied to women suffering with menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea periodically as an nursing intervention.