Period Pain (Dysmenorrhea)

Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking:

Turmeric [1, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that turmeric can help in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea. More research is needed.)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Pine Bark Extract [1, 37, 38, 39]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: weakly in favor  (Early studies indicate potential for Pine bark extract in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, but more clinical studies need to be done)

Grade of Evidence: low of evidence

Oleander Leaf (Nerium Oleander) [1, 33, 34, 35, 36]:

WARNING: This plant is toxic! Not to be ingested. Causes nausea, appetite loss, vomiting, drowsiness, bloody diarrhoea, seizures, irregular heartbeat, heart failure, respiratory depression and death. The plant and any of its extracts should be strictly avoided, especially by children and pregnant women.

Recommendation: Strongly against (There is insufficient evidence to prove the effectiveness of Oleander in dysmenorrhea. Please note, this plant and its extracts are poisonous, even when ingested in dry form. Many people have died of heart or respiratory failure after eating parts of the plant or its extracts.)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Mugwort (Artemisa Vulgaris) [1, 30, 31, 32]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It has been proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has been discounted due life-threatening side effects

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that mugwart helps to treat dysmenorrhea. More research is needed.)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Cannabis (Marijuana, weed, hemp) [1, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Evidence shows that smoking or ingesting cannabis may help in relieving symptoms of pain, although some studies have yielded mixed results)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) [1, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly against (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Goldenseal helps to treat dysmenorrhea. More studies are needed. Goldenseal may produce toxic effects, including depression, constipation, rapid heartbeat, stomach pain, mouth ulcers and vomiting.)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Flaxseed Oil  [1, 11, 12, 13]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: no recommendation  (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that flaxseed oil helps to treat dysmenorrhea)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Evening Primrose Oil  [1, 8, 9, 10]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: no recommendation  (Available evidence does not support claims that primrose oil can help with dysmenorrhea. Studies have shown conflicting results)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Evening Primrose Oil  [1, 5, 6, 7]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: no recommendation  (Available evidence does not support claims that primrose oil can help with PMS. Studies have shown conflicting results)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Chaparral (Larrea Tridentata Coville [5, 6, 7]:

Please note, this herb is HIGHLY TOXIC, and has been reported to cause severe and permanent liver disease which can be fatal.

Recommendation: strongly against (Existing evidence shows that Chaparral is not an effective treatment for dysmenorrhea. In addition, this herb is highly toxic and potentially life threatening.)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla) [3, 4]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: weakly against (Available evidence does not support claims that Chamomile helps treat dysmenorrhea. In addition, allergic reactions and side effects like cramps, itching, rashes and difficulty breathing can be relatively common)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Cats Claw (Uncaria Tomentosa) [1, 2]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: no recomendation (insufficient evidence to support claims that Cats Claw can help to treat occupational dysmenorrhea)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Red Pepper (Capsaicin):

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: no recommendation(There is insufficient evidence to support claims that red peppers help to treat or prevent dysmenorrhea)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Black Cohosh (cimicifuga Racemosa):

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: weakly against (Available evidence does not support claims that Black Cohosh helps to treat symptoms of period pain in any way. Studies have yielded mixed results)

Grade of Evidence: moderate quality of evidence

Therapeutic Touch:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: weakly in favor (A reliable study demonstrated that this form of therapy helps reduce some types of pain, but more studies are needed)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Reflexology:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: weakly in favor (A conrolled study showed that Reflexology may help some people with chronic pain for a maximum of three hours, but shows no effect after that)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Neural Therapy:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly  help with the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: no recommendation (no reliable clinical studies have been done to support Neural Therapies role in reducing chronic pain)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Acupuncture:

Recommendation: weakly in favor (There is some evidence that suggest that Acupuncture may decrease the need for pain medication)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Humor Therapy:

Recommendation: strong (One study has shown that humor therapy may help increase pain tolerance)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Image Therapy:

Recommendation: weakly in favor (a review of a number of studies conducted showd that Image Therapy may be helpful in reducing pain)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Meditation:

Recommendation: weakly in favor (clinical trials have shown that meditation can help reduce chronic pain)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Music Therapy:

Recommendation: weakly in favor (Music therapy has been shown to be effective for short-term management of pain)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

* www.gradeworkinggroup.org

 

Summary Refrences

Treatments:

1. Ades T, Alteri R, Gansler T, Yeargin P, "Complete Guide to Complimentary & Alternative Cancer Therapies", American Cancer Society, Atlanta USA, 2009

2. http://www.nutrasanus.com/cats-claw.html

3.http://www.abchomeopathy.com/r.php/Cham

4. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-chamomile.html

5. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2005/2005_135-eng.php

6. Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1

7. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/chaparral

8. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/evening-primrose

9. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/eveningprimrose/

10. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4395826.stm

11.http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/flaxseed

12. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-flaxseed.html

13. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/flaxseed/index.htm

14. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/goldenseal

15. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/goldenseal/

16. Tierra Michael (1998): The Way of Herbs. New York, Pocket Books

17. Grieve M. (1971): A Modern Herbal. New York, Dover Publications, Inc

18. Mills S. and Bone K. (2000): Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Philadelphia, Churchill Livingstone

19. Tice Raymond (1997): Goldenseal and Two of its constituent alkaloids: berberine and hydrastine Research Triangle Park, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, in Seiger E: Review of Toxilogical Literature

20. http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/ellingwood/hydrastis.html

21. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/marijuana.html

22. http://nccam.nih.gov/research/extramural/awards/2004/

23. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/marijuana

24. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/what-we-know-about-ms/treatments/complementary--alternative-medicine/marijuana/index.aspx

25. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16957511

26. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12965981

27. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17589370

28. http://mct.aacrjournals.org/content/6/11/2921.long

29. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2562334/?tool=pmcentrez 

30. Anliker MD, Borelli S, Wüthrich B. Occupational protein contact dermatitis from spices in a butcher: a new presentation of the mugwort-spice syndrome. Contact Dermatitis. 2002;46:72-74.

31. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/mugwort

32. Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004.

33. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/oleander-leaf

34. http://www.nerium.com/index-2.html

35. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/EnforcementActivitiesbyFDA/WarningLettersandNoticeofViolationLetterstoPharmaceuticalCompanies/UCM165406.pdf

36. http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/plant/pim366.htm

37. http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00214032

38. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/pine-bark-extract

39. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-pycnogenol.html

40. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/turmeric

41. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-turmeric.html

42. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/turmeric/index.htm

43. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1668932.stm

44. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/10/28/curry-kills-cancer-cells-and-other-health-benefits-of-the-nations-favourite-dish-115875-21779950/

45. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=turmeric