title: Effect of lavender aromatherapy on menopause hot flushing: A crossover randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Flushing is generally considered to be the primary symptom of menopause and is typically the most common complaint in menopausal women. Although flushing poses no danger to a woman's health, it decreases the quality of life. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of lavender aromatherapy on menopause flushing.
  
  
  METHODS
  This double-blinded crossover clinical trial included 100 menopausal women 45-55 years of age who were referred to various health centers in Ardabil, Iran in 2013-2014. Samples were blocked randomly and divided into two intervention (lavender) and control (diluted milk) groups. Lavender aroma was smelled for 20 minutes twice a day, over a 12-week period. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, and flushing numbers were duly recorded. Data analysis was performed by SPSS version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) using the Chi-square and t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of our investigation showed that both groups had no significant difference according to demographic characteristics (p > 0.05). Additionally, the flushing number significantly decreased in the intervention group than in the control group (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicated that the use of lavender aromatherapy reduced menopause flushing. Given the impact of stress on flushing and the undesirable effects of menopause symptoms on the quality of life, it would appear that this simple, noninvasive, safe, and effective method can be used by menopausal women with noticeable benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
authors.forename: Rafat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kazemzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran. Electronic address: roya.nikjou@arums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Roya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nikjou
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rostamnegad
authors.affiliation: MSc in Management, Deputy for Treatment, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
authors.forename: Hosein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Norouzi
mesh_terms: D019341:Aromatherapy / Q000379:methods*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D027523:Lavandula; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: Lavandula; hot flashes; menopause