Evaluation of the Effect of Perforan (Hypericum perforatum) on Premenstrual Syndrome Severity of Physical and Behavioural Symptoms in Patients with Premenstrual Syndrome: A Clinical Randomised Trial

Abstract

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is an extensive group of emotional, behavioural and physical symptoms that occur before menstruation. It has a negative impact on activities of daily living, social activities, sexual functioning and quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of perforan (Hypericum perforatum) on the severity of physical and behavioural symptoms associated with PMS. Materials and Methods: In a triple-blind clinical trial, 93 students with PMS were randomly divided into two groups, including perforan and control (placebo) groups, and followed for three subsequent cycles. They took capsules daily in the first cycle for 1 month, and in the second and third cycles, they took capsules from 8 days pre-menstruation to 2 days post-menstruation and recorded the severity of physical and behavioural symptoms using a PMS questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20. Repeated measures ANOVA, Chi-squared tests and independent t-tests were used to compare the mean scores of the two groups. Results: The data showed that there were no significant differences between the two groups before the intervention (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, the severity of physical and behavioural symptoms of PMS was significantly lower in the perforan group than the control group. This was the case 1, 2 and 3 months after consumption of perforan (P < 0.001). Moreover, a significant difference between the two groups in the decrease of PMS scores was observed by repeated measurement tests (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Perforan significantly reduces the severity of physical and behavioural symptoms of PMS. Therefore, perforan could be effective in the treatment of physical and behavioural symptoms of patients with PMS. Nevertheless, future studies are necessary to confirm these results.