Nifedipine for primary dysmenorrhoea Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Primary Dysmenorrhea
Primary Dysmenorrhea
OverviewPrimary dysmenorrhea (PD) is defined as painful menstruation occurring in the absence of any underlying pelvic disease or pathology. It is the most common gynecological complaint affecting women of reproductive age, with a prevalence ranging from 45% to 95% worldwide. Typically, the pain starts just before or at the onset of menstruation and lasts for […]
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Divine Aleru
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
The study assessed the effectiveness and safety of nifedipine as a treatment for primary dysmenorrhoea, a common condition where women experience painful uterine contractions during menstruation. Nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, is widely used to inhibit uterine contractions during preterm labor, and the review explored whether it could also alleviate menstrual pain by inhibiting these contractions during menstruation. The study compared nifedipine to placebo to determine its impact on pain relief, the quality of life, and the need for additional medications.
Who was studied?
The participants were women of reproductive age (15-35 years) diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhoea, defined as menstrual pain due to uterine contractions without any underlying pelvic pathology. A total of 106 women participated across three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), though only 66 participants’ data were usable for analysis. Women who experienced significant menstrual pain were included, with some trials focusing on women who had a history of using analgesics for pain relief.
Most important findings
The results suggested that nifedipine may provide pain relief compared to a placebo. Specifically, nifedipine showed a higher likelihood of any pain relief and significantly better outcomes for “good” or “excellent” pain relief. However, the overall quality of the evidence was very low, primarily due to small sample sizes and limited data. The nifedipine group also demonstrated a greater preference for ongoing use of the medication, with a majority indicating they would choose it over their previous analgesic treatments. Adverse effects such as headaches and facial flushing were reported in both the nifedipine and placebo groups, but they did not significantly differ between the two.
Key implications
The findings suggest that nifedipine could be an effective alternative treatment for primary dysmenorrhoea, especially for women who cannot use NSAIDs or hormonal contraceptives due to various health concerns. Despite the promising results, the low quality of the evidence calls for further research with larger sample sizes and better methodology. Future studies should also focus on comparing nifedipine to other established treatments for dysmenorrhoea and more thoroughly assessing adverse effects to better understand its safety profile in this context.