Zintoma (Ginger) in the treatment of pri may dysmenorrheal

To determine whether Zintoma (Ginger) is effective in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea. In this double-blind, cross-over study 66 students, who suffered from primary dysmenorrhoea (with moderate and severe dysmenorrhoea on the basis of a verbal multidimensional scoring system), were evaluated for three cycles. In the first cycle no medication was given (control cycle), in the second and third cycles (treatment cycles) received either Zintoma (250 mg q6h orally) or placebo (250 mg q6h orally) for three days, during menstrual cycles, in a design A-B or B-A. The participants recorded their menstrual pain (with a visual analogue self assessment) and evaluated 10 dysmenorrhoeic symptoms. Intensity of pain in these cycles was compared by total score. The total score was sum of the daily scores during each cycle. Statistical analyses were performed by the independent and paired t-test and repeated measurement analysis method. Both of the drugs effectively relieved menstrual pain as compared with the control cycles (P<0.05). But the pain reduction didnt show significant difference in the two treatment (P=0.46). When comparing both treatment, Zintoma show significant different as to fatigue, anger, muscular cramp and clot drain (P<0.05). Placebo and Zintoma are effective in relieving pain due to primary dysmenorrhea. Also Zintoma can effect on other symptoms, so it can be used as a drug supplement.