Effect of aromatherapy on coping with premenstrual syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a health problem which begins approximately one week before menstruation in women occurs as a set of physical and psychological symptoms. This study aimed to determine the effect of aromatherapy on coping with premenstrual syndrome in university students.

A randomized controlled trial design was used. This study included 40 students in the intervention and 37 students in the control groups. Data was collected by questionnaire form and PMS scale. The intervention and control groups were followed up for 3 cycles in terms of PMS symptoms. The method of inhalation aromatherapy by lavender oil was applied for 5 sessions on average for each cycle.

When PMS mean scores of the intervention and control groups during 3 follow-up periods were compared, it was found that there is a statistically significant difference between intervention and control groups (p<0.05). It was determined that there is a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of PMS scale and sub-dimensions of anxiety, depressive affect, nervousness, pain, bloating, depressive thoughts mean scores of pre-test and 3rd follow-up (p<0.05), CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that inhalation aromatherapy can be used for coping with PMS. It is recommended that the students suffering from PMS problems should be informed on the inhalation therapy by lavender oil.