title: Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on heavy menstrual bleeding: a placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A wide range of herbal plants have been reported to treat various gynecological problems of women. This study was set out to investigate the effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) in high school girls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-two young women who experienced HMB and met the inclusion criteria were recruited in this study. Participants were evaluated for six consecutive menstrual cycles. During 3 assessment cycles, their HMB was confirmed by Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart. They were then randomly allocated to two study groups to receive either ginger or placebo capsules. The participants filled in the same chart during three intervention cycles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of menstrual blood loss dramatically declined during the three intervention cycles in ginger-receiving group. The decrease of blood loss in ginger-receiving group was significantly more remarkable than that of participants receiving placebo (p<0.001). Minimum number of participants reported adverse effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HMB is highly prevalent among young women. Considering the significance of appropriate and timely treatment and also the importance of prevention of unwanted consequences, ginger may be considered as an effective therapeutic option for HMB.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Nursing Care Research, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Rashid Yasemi St, Vali Asr Ave, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzaneh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kashefi
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khajehei
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alavinia
authors.forename: Ebrahim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Golmakani
authors.forename: Javad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Asili
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002214:Capsules; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D020939:Zingiber officinale / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011208:Powders
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D011208:Powders
keywords: Ginger; heavy menstrual bleeding; herbal medicine