Clinical Evaluation of the Effect of Saptasaram Kashaya and Saraswatarishta in Kashtartava (primary Dysmenorrhea)

BACKGROUND: Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as painful menstruation without any associated pelvic pathology. This debilitating gynecologic disease affects 45–90% of women of reproductive age. In classical texts of Ayurveda, formulations such as Saptasaram Kashaya (SPK) and Saraswatarishta (SSR) have been indicated in the treatment of Kashtartava (primary dysmenorrhea). Based on the classical claim, the present work was planned to assess the effect of SPK and SSR on the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Unmarried girls of age between 13 and 20 years, suffering from at least three painful cycles of menstruation in the last 6 months with pain intensity more than 40 mm as per the Visual Analog Scale (700 mm) (VAS), were included in the trial. Ayurvedic formulations SPK in the dose of 50 ml twice daily before food from the onset of menstruation till next 7 days and SSR in the dose of 10 ml mixed with 20 ml of lukewarm water at bedtime daily were administered for 3 consecutive months. The effect on menstrual pain was assessed by VAS; improvement in quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 (RAND) questionnaire; and changes in the psychosomatic status were assessed using the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire and Hamilton Anxiety Scale. RESULTS: A total of 100 participants were enrolled at two study centers. The data of 96 participants who completed 6 months’ trial period were analyzed. At baseline, the mean VAS score for pain was 90.9 ± 12.3, which decreased to 33.4 ± 24 on the 90th day and further reduced to 23.8 ± 21.3 on the 180th day. The associated symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia, loss of appetite, giddiness, breast tenderness, diarrhea, flatulence, headache, fainting, frequent urination, and fatigue significantly reduced (P < 0.05) at the end of the treatment. The improvement in quality of life and psychological status at the end of 90th day was also significant (P < 0.001). No adverse events were reported during the treatment period. CONCLUSION: SPK and SSR have a positive effect in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.