‘Buscopan’ in spasmodic dysmenorrhoea

Summary

Seventeen women with spasmodic dysmenorrhoea attending a Naval Dockyard Medical Centre were included in a double-blind cross-over study, extending over six months, of aspirin, ‘Buscopan’ and placebo. At the onset of dysmenorrhoea the patients were instructed to take 2 capsules (each containing either aspirin 300 mg., ‘Buscopan’ 40 mg., or placebo) up to 4 times daily, for a maximum of six days and record daily in a diary the number of capsules taken and the degree of relief obtained. The results were analysed for all 17 women contributing a total of sixty-six treatment periods and for 8 women who completed the full six months treatment. Both aspirin and ‘Buscopan’ were found to be significantly more effective than placebo in providing satisfactory relief. No side-effects were reported with either preparation.