Clinical Study to Evaluate the Effect of Shatapushpa Arka in the Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea

Introduction: Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological complaint among adolescent and young adult females. Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is characterized by recurrent cramping pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation without identifiable pelvic pathology. It significantly impacts the quality of life, often impairing daily activities, reducing academic performance, and lowering productivity. A prevalence of 70.2% for PD has been reported among young females in South India. In Ayurveda, dysmenorrhea is correlated with Kashtartava , mainly attributed to an imbalance of Vata and Kapha Doshas . Shatapushpa is an important drug indicated for several menstrual and gynecological disorders. In this study, Shatapushpa was administered as Arka , a formulation that captures volatile oils and active principles through distillation. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of Shatapushpa Arka in the management of lower abdominal pain in PD. Materials and Methods: The study was an open-label, nonrandomized, single-arm interventional trial. Thirty subjects were administered 10 ml of Shatapushpa Arka orally, twice daily, for 5 days in two consecutive menstrual cycles. The severity of pain was assessed with the Verbal Multidimensional Scoring System (VMSS); the duration and severity of menstrual symptoms were evaluated with the Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (CMSS). Data were statistically analyzed using a paired t -test and repeated measures analysis of variance at 95% confidence level. Results: Menstrual pain significantly decreased post intervention. Conclusion: The findings suggest that Shatapushpa Arka is a safe and effective option for managing PD, supporting its potential therapeutic use.