The association between dhatchaoruean (Dominant body element) and primary dysmenorrhea symptoms based on Thai Traditional Medicine theory

Abstract

Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhea, a lower abdomen painful condition in menstruation period, is one of the most common problems found in women. Since the high prevalence in many countries were reported, the primary dysmenorrhea has been acknowledged to be a disturbing problem in everyday life.

Objective: This descriptive study was performed to investigate the correlation between Dhat Chao Ruean (dominant body element) and primary dysmenorrhea symptoms, and also aimed to examine the correlation between food consumption behavior based on the body elements and dysmenorrhea symptoms in accordance with Thai Traditional Medicine theory.

Methods: This study used questionnaires technique appied to conduct on 205 female subjects in reproductive stage (15-25 years old) by purposive sampling in Pathum Thani province. In order to clarify the relationship among Dhat Chao Ruean and other factors, birth wheel chart in interpreting body elements following the principles of Thai Traditional Medicine was used as instrumentation. The data were presented as percentage, mean, standard deviation, and statistically analyzed using Chi-Square test.

Results: The results revealed that Dhat Chao Ruean including earth, water, wind, and fire significantly correlated with dysmenorrhea symptoms in reproductive age-women. In contrast, there is no correlation between food consumption behavior and dysmenorrhea symptoms.

Conclusion: Dhat Chao Ruean or the body elements might be correlated with dysmenorrhea symptoms based on Thai Traditional Medicine theory.