A comparative study on the effects of wheat germ extract and flexibility exercises on primary dysmenorrhea in non-athlete female students: A randomized clinical trial

Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhea is usually one of the most common complaints of women in childbearing age that affects their quality of life and their social activity. Various methods have been mentioned to control and treat dysmenorrhea. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the wheat germ extract intake and flexibility exercises on primary dysmenorrhea in non-athlete female students.   Materials and Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial in four groups including intervention groups (wheat germ, flexibility exercises, flexibility exercises with wheat germ) and control group with participating of 80 non-athlete female students from Shahrood University of Technology (shahrood, Iran). The training group participated in an 8-week flexibility- training program including abdominal, back, thigh and hamstring muscles stretching. They performed eight exercise four days a week for 8 weeks and each exercise included three repetitions lasting for 10 seconds. The wheat germ group consumed two 500 mg capsules of wheat germ daily from day 16 of the menstrual cycle until 5 days after the onset of menstruation for two consecutive months. The exercise group participated in both the flexibility exercise program and received a wheat germ supplement. While there was no intervention in the control group, they completed the menstrual disorders questionnaire only at the beginning and end of the work. Results: : Significant decrease was foynd in the mean systemic symptoms of  primary dysmenorrhea in the wheat germ group from 16.10 to 8.55, in the exercise group from 14.20 to 7.55 and  in the exercise group with wheat germ from 14.7 to 8.40. Pain intensity dysmenorrhea was decreased in the wheat germ group from 2.60 to 1.65, from 2.35 to 1.40 in the exercise group, and from from 2.45 to 1.50 after in the combind group. The severity of primary systemic symptoms and VAS for pain decreased in all intervention groups as compred with before intervention condition except the control group (p <0.05). Conclusion: : The results of the present study indicate the positive and similar effects of the  wheat germ extract, flexibility exercises and flexibility exercises with wheat germ extract on systemic symptoms and pain intensity of primary dysmenorrhea.