Maryam Fasanghari - PhD Student of Reproductive Health, Student Research Committee, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
Mona Larki - PhD in Reproductive Health, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Ali Esmaeili-Hesari - MSc of Epidemiology, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Somayeh Alirezaei - PhD in Reproductive Health, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Mahjobeh Ramezanzadeh - MSc of Midwifery, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Mahin Tafazoli - Assistant Professor, Nursing & Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Background & aim: Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common problems among women, and researchers are looking into treatment modalities using herbal methods. This study aimed to determine the effect of aromatherapy massage with lavender oil on the severity of primary dysmenorrhea among university students.Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed on ۷۱ students with primary dysmenorrhea who were recruited from dormitories of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran and were randomly assigned to three groups. Questionnaires for demographic and menstrual-related data and a visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to collect data. The intervention was a ۱۵-minute massage at the top of the symphysis pubis on the first day of menstruation and for the next three cycles. The first group used ۲% lavender oil (۲ ml), the second group used ۱% odorless paraffin oil (۲ ml), and the third group just did massage. The subjects measured and recorded their pain intensity before and ۳۰ minutes after the intervention using VAS. Analysis was done with SPSS version ۱۶ software.Results: The average pain score changes in three groups in repeated observations over time were different, so the time effect (p=۰.۰۰۹), the group effect (p≤۰.۰۰۱), and the time-group interaction effect (p≤۰.۰۰۱) were statistically significant. Pain score changes between groups and at different times had different patterns, and the most changes were observed in the massage group with lavender oil.Conclusion: Massage with lavender oil is effective in reducing dysmenorrhea and suggested to be used in the management of dysmenorrhea.

Aromatherapy Message, Lavender, Dysmenorrhea