The effect of diet on primary dysmenorrhea in university students: A randomized controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of diet therapy on primary dysmenorrhea in female university students. METHODS: A randomized controlled pre and post-test design was used to verify the effects of diet therapy on primary dysmenorrhea. The study was conducted on 67 female students who were suffering from primary dysmenorrhea. The participants were divided into diet and control groups. The intensity of dysmenorrhea was determined using Visual Analogue Scale and a modified questionnaire assessing several symptoms of dysmenorrhea. The intervention group received the diet therapy for three months. The assessments were made before intervention and three months later. RESULTS: Before the intervention, the mean intensity of dysmenorrhea was found to be 7.14 ± 1.3, 7.09 ± 1.4, in diet groups and control groups, respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant. After the diet therapy, a significant difference was found among the two groups regarding the mean intensity of dysmenorrhea after three months and the average score of pain score of diet group was significantly lower (Diet group:5.15±1.15, Control group: 6.74±1.97). CONCLUSION: Diet therapy was found to be effective in reducing pain in female university students with primary dysmenorrhea complaints.