BACKGROUND
NSAIDs are the most common agents used in
dysmenorrhea treatment. They reduce
menstrual pain by reducing uterine pressure and
PGF2alpha levels in the menstrual fluid. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of
piroxicam and
diclofenac sodium as treatments for primary
dysmenorrhea. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted using a randomized and double-blind method. Patients with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores greater than 5 were accepted into the study. The patients who were suitable for inclusion were randomized into 2 groups and received either intramuscular
piroxicam or
diclofenac sodium. The patients'
pain levels were measured at baseline and at 15, 30, 45, and 60 min. A VAS of 10 cm, a numeric scale, a verbal scale, and additional symptoms, as well as
pain relapse after 24 hours and required
analgesics, were recorded. RESULTS The study included 400 patients. Overall, 200 patients (50%) were in the proxicam group, and 200 patients were in the
diclofenac sodium group. The average decrease on the VAS after
piroxicam or
diclofenac administration was measured as 7.9±1.8 cm and 7.9±1.7 cm (median ± standard deviation), respectively. The
pain-reducing efficiency of all the treatments was compared using the Mann-Whitney U test (p=0.929). Rescue medication was needed for 25 patients in the proxicam group (p=0.014). Overall, 30 patients in the proxicam group and 41 patients in the proxicam group needed
analgesics again in the 24-hour period
after treatment (p=0.150). CONCLUSIONS At the end of our study, it was observed that there was no difference in the results of primary
dysmenorrhea treatment with 20 mg
piroxicam or 75 mg
diclofenac sodium.