Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common gynecological problems affecting adolescent and young adult females, particularly nursing students, and it significantly interferes with their academic performance, clinical activities, and overall quality of life. Menstrual pain is primarily caused by increased production of prostaglandins, leading to uterine contractions, ischemia, and pain. Although pharmacological interventions such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used for pain relief, their long-term use may result in adverse effects. Hence, there is an increasing interest in safe, economical, and non-pharmacological interventions for the management of dysmenorrhea. Ginger (Zingiber officinale), a commonly used herbal remedy, possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that help in reducing menstrual pain by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. The current study sought to determine whether Zingiber officinale (ginger) tea was beneficial for treating dysmenorrhea in BSc Nursing students at a particular Thiruvananthapuram nursing institution. A quantitative research approach with a quasi-experimental design was adopted for the study. Sixty BSc Nursing students who experienced dysmenorrhea were selected using purposive sampling technique and divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received ginger tea during the first two days of menstruation, while the control group received routine care without any intervention. Data were collected using a structured demographic questionnaire and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Pre-test and post-test pain scores were assessed and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of students in both groups experienced moderate to severe dysmenorrhea during the pre-test. After the administration of ginger tea, a marked reduction in pain intensity was observed in the experimental group during the post-test. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between pre-test and post-test pain scores in the experimental group at p < 0.05, indicating the effectiveness of ginger tea in reducing dysmenorrhea. There was no discernible correlation between certain demographic factors and post-test pain levels. The study concluded that Zingiber officinale tea is an effective, safe, economical, and non-pharmacological intervention for reducing dysmenorrhea among BSc Nursing students. Incorporating ginger tea as a complementary therapy may help nursing students manage menstrual pain effectively, reduce absenteeism, and improve their academic and clinical performance.
Sam et al. (Tue,) studied this question.