Effects of aromatherapy for female university students on perimenstrual symptoms

Abstract

The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of aromatherapy according to perimenstrual symptoms among female university students. Sixteen female university students were assigned to a 10-minute aromatherapy group (aromatherapy group) and a non-aromatherapy group (no aromatherapy group) for a randomized controlled trial. Interventions and investigations were conducted at each participant’s house. Fifteen participants, excluding one who had irregular menstruation, were assigned to the aromatherapy (eight participants) and no aromatherapy (seven participants) groups. Aromatherapy significantly reduced systolic blood pressure, discomfort, physical fatigue, lower abdominal distension, irritability, and depression according to the VAS (visual analog scale) before and after the intervention. Additionally, in the aromatherapy group, POMS (profile of mood states) and MDQ (menstrual distress questionnaire) showed a significant decrease in confusion-embarrassment, and tension-anxiety, and pain, concentration, behavioral changes, autonomic imbalance, swelling, negative emotions, and other scores in the MDQ, respectively. However, in the no aromatherapy group, only physical fatigue of VAS was significantly reduced, with no significant difference observed in other scores. These results suggest that aromatherapy may alleviate the physical and psychological symptoms associated with the perimenstrual period.