• Phytotherapy in Idiopathic Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: A Systematic Review
  • Mohammad Amin Talebpour,1 Minoo Momenzadeh,2,* Amir Hussein Bueik,3
    1. Student Research Committee, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad branch, Mashhad, Iran.
    2. School of Medicine , Mashhad Islamic Azad University, Mashhad , Iran
    3. Student Research Committee, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad branch, Mashhad, Iran.


  • Introduction: Background: Idiopathic heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB; IHMB) is a common gynecological problem with no pelvic pathology or general bleeding disorder. Herbal remedies are commonly used to treat HMB. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of herbal preparations for the treatment of IHMB.
  • Methods: Methods and Search strategy: MEDLINE, Ovid, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from 2010 to 2020 December. Only randomized controlled trials were considered.
  • Results: Results: Eight randomized controlled trials were included in this systematic review. Different herbal preparations were used in the included trials. In four studies, Ginger capsules and myrtle fruit syrup significantly reduced the menstrual duration and blood loss compared with placebo based on the pictorial blood loss assessment chart score (p < 0.001, p = 0.01). In other trials, Punica granatum flower capsules were as effective as tranexamic acid capsules in reducing the mean (SD) pictorial blood loss assessment chart score, with no significant difference between the two treatments (p = 0.3).
  • Conclusion: Conclusion: The results show that the methods used in these trials may reduce menstrual bleeding in women with IHMB. Additional well-designed trials are needed to investigate the safety and efficacy of herbs for the treatment of women with IHMB or other forms of HMB.
  • Keywords: Keywords: menorrhagia, idiopathic heavy menstrual bleeding, herbal medicine.