Phytother Res. 2026 Apr 15. doi: 10.1002/ptr.70324. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as recurrent, cramp-like lower abdominal pain occurring during menstruation in the absence of underlying pelvic pathology. A significant proportion of the population opts for natural plant-based remedies due to their perceived lower incidence of adverse effects. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of plant-based interventions in the management of primary dysmenorrhea. Systematic review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive search was conducted across five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Embase, and Scopus) covering the period from 1990 to 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of plant-based products or herbal medicine for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea were included. Searches, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. Discrepancies were resolved through consultation with a third reviewer expert in the topic. A total of 47 studies were included in the systematic review, of which 22 were incorporated into the meta-analysis. The findings indicate that herbal medicine can be as effective as conventional pharmacological treatments (n = 1133, MD: 0.12, 95% CI: -0.29 to 0.53, p = 0.58, I2 = 95%), such as mefenamic acid or ibuprofen, in managing primary dysmenorrhea. Additionally, a statistically significant difference was observed when compared to placebo (n = 941, MD: -1.83, 95% CI: -2.32 to -1.34, p < 0.00001, I2 = 92%). Adverse effects were infrequent, mild in severity, and resolved upon discontinuation of the intervention. Overall, the certainty of evidence is low to very low due to high heterogeneity and moderate risk of bias. Plant-based treatments may reduce pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea and are probably comparable to conventional drug therapies. However, further studies employing more rigorous methodologies are required to establish stronger evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine in addressing this health condition.
PMID:41983255 | DOI:10.1002/ptr.70324
