Comparison of the Effects of Matricaria chamomila (Chamomile) Extract and Mefenamic Acid on the Intensity of Mastalgia Associated With Premenstrual Syndrome

Abstract

<strong>Background:</strong> Mastalgia (breast pain) is a symptom that usually affects 70% of women at any given point during their life time. <strong>Objectives:</strong> This study aimed to compare the effects of chamomile extract and mefenamic acid (MA) on the intensity of Mastalgia associated with premenstrual syndrome (MAPMS). <strong>Patients and Methods:</strong> This study was a randomized double blind clinical trial carried out on 90 students living in dormitories at Kazerun Islamic Azad University, Kazerun, Iran from September 2011 to March 2012. The participants filled in the daily forms for two consecutive months. Once the definitive diagnosis of MAPMS was made, the participants were divided into two groups of 45, each receiving either chamomile capsule 100 mg or MA 250 mg three times a day, for an interval beginning from the 21st day of menstrual cycle till the next onset. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in order to analyze data. <strong>Results:</strong> A significant decrease (P < 0.0001) was found in average mastalgia between pre and post intervention after first and second cycles in those treated with chamomile Extract (10.5 ± 21.7 and 13.7 ± 20.4 percent) and among MA treated subjects (12.1 ± 624.7 and 13.8 ± 24 percent). There was no significant difference in MAPMS symptom in chamomile extract-treated and MA groups after first and second cycles (P > 0.05). <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Chamomile reduces the severity of MAPMS during treatment. Consumption of chamomile seems to be similar to MA in relieving the intensity of MAPMS.