Effectiveness of Japanese Kampo treatment in dysmenorrhea: Single‐center observational study

Abstract

ABSTRACTAimKampo medicine, a Japanese traditional medicine, is a leading candidate in alternative medicine for treating dysmenorrhea. The efficacy of some formulas has been reported in randomized placebo‐controlled trials, but the effectiveness and safety of Kampo treatment with regard to specialist selection of an appropriate formula remain unclear. We therefore conducted a single‐center observational study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Kampo treatment for dysmenorrhea.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed of patients with dysmenorrhea at Keio University Hospital between May 2008 and March 2015. Exclusion criteria were age >50 years and failure to attend follow up. Patients with any degree of improvement in dysmenorrhea by ≤90 days after the first consultation were categorized in the effective dysmenorrhea treatment group. We also examined any improvement in other symptoms after the prescription of medicine for the patients not included in the aforementioned group. Adverse reactions were also investigated.ResultsWe examined 157 patients, with a median age of 33 years (range, 12–49 years) at the time of the first consultation. A total of 122 patients (77.7%) were diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea, 99 of whom (63.1%) were categorized in the effective dysmenorrhea treatment group. In addition, loss of appetite, premenstrual symptoms, and cold sensations were improved in the patients not in the effective dysmenorrhea treatment group. Adverse, but mild, reactions were reported in 15.9% of patients.ConclusionKampo treatment by specialists can be a safe treatment option for dysmenorrhea.