The effect of Citrus aurantium L. flower extract on the severity of primary dysmenorrhoea: a double-blind, randomised, controlled clinical trial

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the effect of Citrus aurantium L. flower on the distance between two cycles, physical activity, days of bleeding, and intensity of dysmenorrhoea (primary objectives), and complications of interventions or adverse effects (secondary purpose).

Methods

This double-blind, randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted on 105 girls (15–20 years old) with primary dysmenorrhoea. In the intervention cycles, from the first to the third day, participants received 250 mg C. aurantium flower hydro-alcoholic extract capsule, Mefenamic acid (MA) capsule, or placebo three times a day based on the study groups.

Results

The results showed that the severity of dysmenorrhoea in the groups consuming C. aurantiumflower and MA was significantly lower than that before the intervention and compared to the placebo group (P< 0.001), which this reduction in the severity of pain in the C. aurantium flower group was also significantly higher than that of the MA group (P< 0.001) at the first and second days.

Conclusion

C. aurantium flower had higher efficacy and satisfaction rate and lower side effects in reducing the severity of primary dysmenorrhoea compared to MA.