Rose Damascena vs. Omega-3 in the Treatment of Premenstural Syndrome:A randomized, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to a cyclic appearance of somatic and psychiatric symptoms that affect some women. Finding an effective and safe method for the treatment of PMS has always been a serious concern. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids and rose damascena in the treatment of PMS. A randomized placebo controlled clinical trial was performed on 120 women. The women randomly assigned into 3 equal groups. The first group received omega-3 500 mg/day، the second group received rosa damascene 30 drops/day and third group was as control group that received placebo during leuteal phase for 3 consecutive cycles. The severity of each of the symptoms were compared in all groups before and after intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests، fischer exact test، and ANOVA. There were no significant differences among the groups according to age، BMI، level of education، and the severity of primary symptoms. The mean severity of affective and psychological symptoms including tension، depression fatigueability، decreased libido، lack of concentration، crying، suicidal thonghts increased appetite in rosa damascene group were significantly lower than the other groups (p=0. 001)، and the mean severity of physical symptoms including edematous extrimities، breast tenderness، bloating and palpitation in omega-3 group were significantly lower than the other groups (p=0. 001). Headache and forgetfullness have not any meaningfull difference between groups. Rosa damascena and Omega-3 seems to be effective in reducing psychiatric and somatic symptoms of PMS. Therapeutic use of these drugs needs further studies.