Dark chocolate as a non-pharmacological alternative to reduce dysmenorrhea in adolescents

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea, menstrual pain often experienced by women of reproductive age, including teenage girls, can cause discomfort and hinder daily activities, necessitating treatment. Chocolate contains copper, which synthesizes neurotransmitters like collagen and endorphins, serving as an analgesic and natural sedative to alleviate pain. This study aimed to assess the effect of dark chocolate on reducing dysmenorrhea in adolescents. This study employed a quasi-experimental research design and was conducted over six months at a polytechnic in Bandung. Pain intensity was measured using a standardized instrument known as the WALIDD score. A total of forty students with primary dysmenorrhea participated in the study, selected through purposive sampling, and were divided into a treatment group and a control group. The independent variables included the administration of dark chocolate, while the dependent variable was the intensity of menstrual pain in students with primary dysmenorrhea. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test. The intervention group, which received education on menstruation and dark chocolate, exhibited a significant reduction in dysmenorrhea pain as early as the second day, with a p-value of <0.001. Administering dark chocolate at a dosage of 35 mg/day from the onset of menstruation helps reduce pain from the first day of menstruation compared to standard therapy, which includes education about menstruation. Chocolate enhances mood due to its copper content, releasing endogenous morphine that inhibits pain impulses. This makes chocolate a non-pharmacological alternative for alleviating dysmenorrhea.