Oral Administration of Zinc Capsule for 4 Days before Menstrual Period Decreases Prostaglandin (PGF2-alfa) Level and Pain Intensity in Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea

Abstract: Background: Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecologic complaint among women, where 40-70% of women in their reproductive years had this complaint. It is caused by prostaglandin efflux that occurs due to endometrial desquamation. Analgesia treatment is often used to cure dysmenorrhea to date. Zinc reduces cyclooxygenase enzyme activity, which in turn decreases prostaglandin synthesis that can prevent pain. This study is about the effectiveness of zinc to prevent pain in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Method: The pre-test and post-test control group design study was carried out on thirty-two female college students who had a history of primary dysmenorrhea as samples. Subjects were divided into two groups randomly with sixteen women in each group. Control group were given placebo capsules, and the experimental group were given 30 mg zinc capsules for four consecutive days before the period to start. Prostaglandin (PGF2?) levels and pain intensity were measured before and after treatment, and was analyzed using independent t-test and chi square-test. Results: The average PGF2? level decrease for experimental group was 743.44 pg/ml ± 454.43 and it was 514.49 pg/ml ±226.78 for the control group. The median of pain intensity for the treatment group was grade I, and the control group was grade II in the verbal rating scale. From post-test results comparison, the experimental group shows a significant decrease of PGF2? level and pain intensity (p<0.05). Conclusion: Administration of 30 mg zinc capsules for 4 days before the start of period decreases PGF2? level and pain intensity in women with primary dysmenorrhea.