The effect of Echinophora platyloba on the pre-menstural syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) disrupts young women’s normal life and activity each month. Different methods have been employed for treatment of PMS. The aim of this study was to detect the effect of Echinophora platyloba on premenstrual syndrome in students of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in 2008. A single-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on sixty students with PMS. They were randomly assigned to receive either the Echinophora platyloba extract or placebo; the DRSP questionnaire, (daily record of severity of problems) was used for data collection. At the end of first and second month after intervention, the severity of PMS was recorded and compared with symptoms prior to intervention in the two groups. Data was analyzed by SPSS software, P<0/05 was considered significant. The severity of premenstrual syndrome was similar in two groups before intervention (Score=100.8±22.1 vs. 104.3±19.5), but after the intervention, there was a significant difference in severity score between the 2 groups viz. 49.7±13.2 vs. 79.1±18.1 in the intervention vs. the control group respectively, (p=0.002). Echinophora platyloba extract is effective in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome.