title: Effects of valerian on the severity and systemic manifestations of dysmenorrhea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact of valerian-a herb with sedative effects and antispasmodic effects on smooth muscles-on the severity of dysmenorrhea.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 100 students were randomly assigned to receive valerian (n=49) or placebo (n=51). Valerian (dose 255 mg) was given 3 times daily for 3 days beginning at the onset of menstruation, for 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. At baseline and during the intervention cycles, the pain severity was evaluated with a visual analog scale and the systemic manifestations were assessed using a multidimensional verbal scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pain severity at baseline did not differ significantly between the groups. After the intervention, the pain severity was significantly reduced in both groups (P<0.001), but the extent of the reduction was larger in the valerian group, with the difference between the 2 groups being statistically significant (P<0.05). The total scores of the systemic manifestations associated with dysmenorrhea decreased after the intervention, but there was no significant difference between the groups, with the exception for syncope (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Valerian seems to be an effective treatment for dysmenorrhea, probably because of its antispasmodic effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Parvaneh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mirabi
authors.forename: Mahrokh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dolatian
authors.forename: Faraze
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mojab
authors.forename: Hamid Alavi
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Majd
mesh_terms: D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013575:Syncope / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014632:Valerian / Q000737:chemistry*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts