Ginger may be effective for relieving primary dysmenorrhea

(HealthDay)—Ginger is effective for reducing pain in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea, according to a review published online July 14 in Pain Medicine.

James W. Daily, Ph.D., from Daily Manufacturing Inc. in Rockwell, N.C., and colleagues conducted a systematic review to examine the effectiveness of ginger in treating primary dysmenorrhea. Seven studies that used ginger as a treatment for primary dysmenorrhea met the specific selection criteria. Meta-analysis included the four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the therapeutic efficacy of ginger with placebo during the first three to four days of the menstrual cycle.

The researchers found that ginger had a significant effect in reducing pain visual analog score in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea (risk ratio, −1.85). Low to moderate risk of bias was seen in six of seven RCTs.

"Collectively these RCTs provide suggestive evidence for the effectiveness of 750 to 2,000 mg ginger powder during the first three to four days of the menstrual cycle for primary dysmenorrhea," the authors write.

One author is president of Daily Manufacturing, a manufacturer of dietary supplements.