A Comparative clinical study to evaluate the add on Effectiveness of Methika Granules in Primary Dysmenorrhea

Acharya**Kashyapa explored the medicinal potential of Aahar (food) along with its prophylactic value in maintaining health. He stated that food is the best medicine, and no drug can match the benefits of food in a diseased state. Only wholesome food can keep a person healthy.1 Methika(Trigonella foenum graecum) is one of the oldest known medicinal plants2 which is commonly used as condiment in many food preperations3. It is not only used for enhancing the taste of food, but also provides some preventive health benefits. It has been associated with reduced severity of dysmenorrhea including menstrual pain, fatigue, nausea, headache and lack of energy.2 Phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds4 which aids in hormonal production5. Diosgenin and trigonellin are the primary chemical constituents of Methika considered as phytoestrogen causes variation in the release of estrogen and progesterone leading to regulated uterine contractions and controlled release of prostaglandins and thereby pain. This shows the Antispasmodic and Spasmolytic activity of Methika. The ability of Methika to prevent platelet aggregation causes liquefaction of menstrual blood clots avoids excessive muscular contractions which is another cause of dysmenorrhea.5

Primary dysmenorrhea is a condition which causes painful menstrual cramps without pelvic pathology.6In India the estimated prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea reported in 2023 is 85.28%7. In various studies adolescents with primary dysmenorrhea report that it affects their academic performance, social and sports activities8. In severe cases it results in absenteeism from work or School6 and is a common cause of reduced quality of life in women.9 The most common issue of menstrual problems on daily routine were reported by students and unmarried women, with prolonged resting hours followed by inability to study.8 In fact, it is estimated that each year due to dysmenorrhea, over 600 million working hours are lost. Such absences lessen the opportunities for successful educational, psychosocial and cognitive development during adolescent growth.8 Lifestyle plays an important role in maintenance of health9. Faulty lifestyle adoptions such as- stress, not being physically active, eating and sleeping at irregular intervals etc are all the factors contributing to increased prevalence of the condition.9 In present era, as dysmenorrhea is a burning problem and population of dysmenorrheal women is increasing day by day, there is a need to solve this problem. Methika being cost effective, readily available in households and its capacity to retain its properties in dry form, it will be formulated in the form of granules to make it as palatable, easy for consumption and its add-on effectiveness in management of primary dysmenorrhea will be assessed.