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Continuous topical heat was as effective as ibuprofen for dysmenorrhoea

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebn.4.4.113

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    Akin MD, Weingand KW, Hengehold DA, et al. Continuous low-level topical heat in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.Obstet Gynecol2001 Mar;97:343–9OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science

    QUESTION: Is continuous, low level, topical heat as effective as oral ibuprofen for dysmenorrhoea (menstrual pain)?

    Design

    Randomised {allocation concealed}*, blinded {patients, clinicians, and outcome assessors}*, controlled, 2 × 2 factorial trial with follow up over 2 days of treatment.

    Setting

    Texas, USA.

    Patients

    84 non-pregnant women who were ≥18 years (age range 21–50 y) and who predictably had moderate or greater menstrual pain (4 of previous 6 cycles), a history and physical examination consistent with primary dysmenorrhoea, regular menstrual cycles, pain relief from over the counter analgesics, and were using reliable contraception. Exclusion criteria were cutaneous lesions involving the abdominal wall, microvascular disease (including diabetes), known or suspected drug or alcohol abuse, known or suspected contraindication to oral ibuprofen, and recent pregnancy. 79 women (94%) were included in the efficacy analysis.

    Intervention

    Women were allocated to 1 of 4 treatment groups, each of which comprised …

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    Footnotes

    • ↵* Information provided by author.

    • Source of funding: Procter and Gamble Company supplied study devices and materials.

    • For correspondence: Dr R P Smith, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Truman Medical Center, 2301 Holmes Street, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA. Fax +1 816 556 3556.