Insights & Discussion
Peppermint oil capsules may significantly reduce the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms in reproductive-age women.
The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 50 high school students in Babol, Iran who were diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome. Participants were divided into two groups. One group was given Colpermin® capsules, which contained peppermint oil, while the other group was given a placebo. These were taken twice daily from the 15th day of one menstrual period to the first day of the next period across two menstrual cycles. The severity of PMS was evaluated at the first luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and again at the third luteal phase, using a 28-item PMS checklist.
Over two menstrual cycles, participants who took the peppermint oil capsules experienced a more significant decrease in premenstrual syndrome scores compared to those in the placebo group. Thus, peppermint oil has demonstrated its potential as an effective treatment in managing the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms in this sample.
Discover Related Insights
Small-intestinal release peppermint oil is a cost-effective treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, yielding modest quality of life gains and relieving abdominal pain.
2021 United European Gastroenterology Journal A trial‐based economic evaluation of peppermint oil for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome Weerts ZZRM, Essers BAB, Jonkers DMAE, Willems JIA, Janssen DJPA, Witteman BJM, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Irritable Bowel Syndrome Peppermint Oil
In the research study, a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was carried out to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of small-intestinal release peppermint oil - an often used treatment - in patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The cost-effectiveness was analyzed from a societal perspective, using two different approaches: costs per Quality of Life Years (QALY) and costs per successfully treated patient or abdominal pain responder. The later was defined according to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) definitions. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted to further substantiate the results. This comprehensive evaluation involved 126 IBS patients randomly assigned to receive either placebo or peppermint oil.
The findings showcase that peppermint oil took precedence as a dominant and effective treatment compared to placebo in considerable number of cases. Not only did it prove more successful at reducing the abdominal pain experienced by IBS patients, but analysis also positioned it as a viable option with regards to the cost-effectiveness ratio based on QALY. The results displayed that peppermint oil came out as a financially savvy treatment in varying scenarios, demonstrating a high probability of cost-effectiveness when evaluated using the abdominal pain responder outcome measure.
Peppermint oil significantly reduces colonic spasm during colonoscopy, but does not affect the adenoma detection rate or cecal intubation time.
2019 The American Journal of Gastroenterology Peppermint Oil Decreases Colonic Spasm Without Significantly Affecting Cecal Intubation Time and Adenoma Detection Rate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Nehme, Fredy; Al Momani, Laith; Alomari, Mohammad ; Zafar, Yousaf
Systematic Review Irritable Bowel Syndrome Peppermint Oil
The methodology of this research primarily involved a review of randomized controlled trials that compared the use of peppermint oil and a placebo during colonoscopies. The various trials selected for review were identified through comprehensive searches of databases such as Medline, Google Scholar, and Cochrane up until May 2019. The analysis took into account key variables, including the extent of peristalsis inhibition, cecal intubation time, and adenoma detection rates.
In terms of results, there was significant variation in the dosage and administration of the peppermint oil among the 5 trials that qualified for the review. Comparisons were made between a group of 623 subjects who received peppermint oil and a placebo group of 239 individuals. It was found that peppermint oil led to a significant increase in the complete inhibition of colonic peristalsis. However, the cecal intubation times and adenoma detection rates were similar across both the peppermint oil and placebo groups, despite the high level of variation observed.