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

ABSTRACT

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