Efficacy of ketoprofen in treating primary dysmenorrhea

A 6-month double-blind crossover trial compared ketoprofen with placebo in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea in 27 women who satisfied explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria. The response to treatment was assessed with a pain scale and a disability scale and by noting amelioration of associated symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, dizziness and headache. Ketoprofen was significantly superior to placebo in relieving the pain (p < 0.001), disability (p < 0.001) and headache (p < 0.01) associated with menstruation. No order effect of treatment was observed. Adverse effects were few and minimal.