The comparison of fennel infusion plus dry cupping versus metformin in management of oligomenorrhoea in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomised clinical trial
Abstract
Oligomenorrhoea treatment with hormone therapy and Metformin is not usually well tolerated and is associated with a broad range of side effects. In Persian medicine, the management of oligomenorrhoea can be done with fennel and dry cupping. A clinical trial was conducted on 61 patients with oligomenorrhoea. The patients randomly received treatment for 6 months in two groups: fennel infusion plus dry cupping (Group A); versus treatment with Metformin (Group B). On the days between the two periods, the patients' BMI, pain levels and side effects were assessed. Thirty-one patients (mean age: 26.68) in Group A, and 30 patients (mean age: 28.90) in Group B were enrolled. The mean numbers of days between the two periods after 3 and 6 months in Group A was, respectively, 32.59 and 30.69, versus 40.66 and 431.22 in Group B. The mean pain severity dropped significantly in Group A. Fennel seed infusion plus a dry cupping uses a safe and effective therapeutic intervention in the management of oligomenorrhoea. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women. Some common clinical manifestations of this syndrome include menstrual disorders such as oligomenorrhoea and amenorrhoea. The recommended therapeutic interventions include oral intervention, as well as metformin, which are associated with an increased risk of vascular thromboembolism, digestive complications such as nausea, and dizziness, and vitamin B12 deficiency. Therefore, the use of complementary medicine in controlling and treating PCOS is considered a valuable intervention in conventional medicine. In Persian traditional medicine, medicinal fennel (with the scientific name of Foeniculum Vulgare Mill) is commonly used in this regard. The practice of dry cupping during the monthly period that ends with ovulation is also recommended. What do the results of this study add? The present study concludes that fennel seed infusion plus a dry cupping therapy is effective and safe in reducing the days between two menstrual periods and manages oligomenorrhoea. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? A clinical study is suggested for assessing the effect of fennel seed infusion plus dry cupping on oligomenorrhoea, with a large sample size and a longer follow up time.
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Fennel tea plus dry cupping following six menstruations was as effective as metformin in shortening menstrual cycle length and reducing BMI after six months.
“Fennel tea, including dry cupping following six menstruations, was determined to be as effective as the widely prescribed medicine - metformin in shortening the menstrual cycle length and bringing down the BMI after the six-month observation of the six months.”
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- Authors
- Mokaberinejad, R., Rampisheh, Z., Aliasl, J., & Akhtari, E.
- Affiliations
- Shahid Beheshti University (IR)
- Iran University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Shahed University (IR)
- Corresponding author
- Akhtari, Elham
- Venue
- Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2019-03-11
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 652-658
- ISSN
- 0144-3615 (ISSN-L)
- 1364-6893
- OpenAlex
- W2921000487
- Cited by
- 28
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2
- FWCI
- 2.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Iran University of Medical Sciences
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Traditional Chinese Medicine Studies
- Keywords
- polycystic ovary syndrome, oligomenorrhea, fennel, dry cupping, metformin, Persian medicine, complementary therapy, menstrual cycle regularity, pain intensity, adverse effects, body mass index, thromboembolic risk, vitamin B12 deficiency, cupping therapy
- MeSH terms
- Cupping Therapy, Adult, Dysmenorrhea, Female, Humans, Iran, Phytotherapy, Medicine, Traditional, Metformin, Oligomenorrhea, Plant Extracts, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Seeds, Acupuncture Therapy, Body Mass Index, Foeniculum
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