This randomized, controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of ginger on pain relief in moderate or severe primary dysmenorrhea (N = 120). The ginger and placebo groups in two different treatment protocols received 1500 mg of ginger root powder daily or placebo. In the first protocol, ginger and placebo were given two days before the onset of the menstrual period and continued through the first three days of the menstrual period. In the second protocol, ginger and placebo were given for the first three days of the menstrual period. Severity of pain was determined by a verbal multidimensional scoring system and a visual analogue scale. No differences were reported for baseline characteristics between the two groups. Significant differences were reported in the severity of pain between the ginger and placebo groups for protocol one (P = 0.015) and protocol two (P = 0.029). Protocol one (but not protocol two) also resulted in a significant difference in duration of pain (P = 0.017). Therefore, five days of treatment with ginger relieves the intensity and duration of pain in primary dysmenorrhea. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012 Jul 10;12(1):92. PMID: 22781186
