Effect of Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) Extract on Premenstrual Syndrome in Female Students Living in Dormitory of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences

Background: One of the common problems of women is premenstrual syndrome. PMS is associated with mental and physical symptoms. Many therapeutic approaches are recommended. One of the methods is herbal medicine. Objective: The study was conducted to investigate the effect of Yarrow's extract on PMS. Method: This double blind clinical trial was performed on single female students in the dormitory of QUMS in Qazvin 2016. First a form was presented to diagnose PMS. Then absence of depression was determined by Beck test. Afterward, the subjects were assigned to two groups of test (167) and control (167). The test group received 200 cc of Yarrow extract and control group received placebo for 3 months. They followed up by a daily status record and pain severity form. Data were analyzed using Analysis of variance, independent t-test and chi 2.  Results: The results showed that trend of changes in the mean scores of the overall severity of symptoms according to the daily records and pain severity form were statistically significant in three stages of one month, two months and three months after the intervention, but in the Control group was not significant. The mean of total symptoms and severity of pain before intervention and three months later was significantly different in the intervention and control groups. Conclusion: The study showed that using Achillea millefolium extract can reduce the symptoms of PMS and pain severity. Therefore, that can be used to treat symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.