Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial: Comparative Efficacy of Dark Chocolate, Coconut Water, and Ibuprofen in Managing Primary Dysmenorrhea

Kaifar Nuha (), Kusnandi Rusmil, Ahmad Rizal Ganiem, Wiryawan Permadi and Dewi Marhaeni Diah Herawati
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Kaifar Nuha: Master of Midwifery Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jl. Eyckman No. 38, Bandung 40161, Indonesia
Kusnandi Rusmil: Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jl. Eyckman No. 38, Bandung 40161, Indonesia
Ahmad Rizal Ganiem: Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, 40161, Indonesia
Wiryawan Permadi: Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, 40161, Indonesia
Dewi Marhaeni Diah Herawati: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jl. Eyckman No. 38, Bandung 40161, Indonesia

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 16, 1-11

Abstract: Dysmenorrhea, the pain experienced by women during menstruation, affects a significant proportion of women worldwide and often leads to decreased productivity. Various pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are available for pain relief, but information on their effectiveness, particularly regarding green coconut water, dark chocolate, and Ibuprofen, remains limited. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of green coconut water, dark chocolate bars, and Ibuprofen in reducing the intensity of primary dysmenorrhea. In this research, a randomized controlled trial with a quantitative design was conducted, involving 45 participants randomly assigned to receive 330 mL of green coconut water, 35 g of 70% dark chocolate, or 400 mg Ibuprofen. The interventions were administered on the first day of menstruation when dysmenorrhea symptoms typically occur in subjects. This study used a single-dose approach to evaluate the immediate impact of each treatment. The subjects were instructed to consume the given interventional product within 15 min. The pain intensity was measured using a Numeric Rating Scale before the intervention and 2 h after the subjects finished consuming the interventional product. The multivariate Kruskal–Wallis test revealed a significant difference in effectiveness among the three interventions ( p < 0.05). The study found that Ibuprofen was the most effective intervention compared to the other interventions. These findings contribute to understanding the treatment options for primary dysmenorrhea and emphasize the efficacy of Ibuprofen (trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05971186).

Keywords: dysmenorrhea; menstrual pain; ibuprofen; reproductive health; dysmenorrhea management; green coconut water; dark chocolate; magnesium; anti-inflamatory drugs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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