Efficacy of Asgand in Premenstrual syndrome: A Self Controlled Study

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a common health problem in women, which includes series of psychological and physical symptoms experienced 7 to 14 days before the onset of menses.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) defined PMS as a clinical condition characterized by the cyclic presence of physical and emotional symptoms unrelated to any organic disease that appear during the 5 days before menses in each of the three prior menstrual cycles and disappear within 4 days of the onset of menses, without recurrence until at least cycle day 13. It is estimated that 85%-90% women of childbearing age may experience physical and mental symptoms before the onset of cycle. According to Unani physicians, imtelayi kaifiyat present in the premenstrual phase causes a variety of symptoms like anxiety, tension, headache, irritability, decreased concentration, depression, mood swings, insomnia, anorexia, palpitation, pelvic pain, backache, numbness in hands and legs. It is well documented that a surge of Akhlat muharrika (hormones) is responsible for the accumulation of body fluid in tissue spaces during the premenstrual period and this theory corresponds to the concept of Ibne Sina.According to conventional systems, causes of PMS are not fully known and there is no cure for PMS, its symptoms can be successfully managed by several medicines. The management of PMS ranges from non-pharmacological treatment which includes Dietary supplementation, Cognitive behavioural therapy, Life style changes and pharmacological treatment like antidepressants, hormonal treatment and symptomatic treatment. As Ibne Sina mentioned that treatment should be based on cause, if the cause is heat (hiddat) and dominance of bile it is best treated by evacuation (istefragh) of bile especially by shahtra and halela and if retention of fluid is the reason, then it is excreted through the skin by using drugs such as samaghe arabi and kateera, and if the cause is the weakness of uterus, then astringent with uterine tonics is advised. As Asgand has the actions of alterative, aphrodisiac, deobstruent, diuretic, narcotic, sedative, uterine tonic, analgesic etc. it has been decided to conduct a clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Asgand on scientific parameters in patients with PMS.