- The Effectiveness of Acupressure at the PC6, LI4, and LR3 Points Combined with Lemon Aromatherapy in Reducing Dysmenorrhea Pain in Adolescents -

Abstract

Adolescence is a dynamic developmental phase in a person’s life. One of the biological indicators of this phase is the onset of menstruation. Many women, however, experience menstrual issues, including menstrual pain, commonly known as dysmenorrhea.

Dysmenorrhea is the most frequent complaint among women during menstruation. Risk factors that may lead to primary dysmenorrhea include early menarche (before the age of 12), which can occur when the reproductive organs have not fully developed and the cervix remains narrow. This condition can result in pain during menstruation because the female reproductive organs are not functioning optimally. The duration of menstruation may be prolonged by uterine contractions that restrict blood flow to the uterus. Additionally, the length of the menstrual cycle plays a role: a longer cycle leads to higher levels of prostaglandin release, which in turn causes pain. A family history of dysmenorrhea is another irreversible risk factor.

This study uses a quasi-experimental design with two groups, employing a pretest-posttest format (initial and final tests conducted in both groups). The population consists of all students who report experiencing menstrual pain. Simple random sampling is used to select participants for this study.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure at the Pc6, Li4, and Lr3 points, combined with lemon aromatherapy, in reducing dysmenorrhea pain in adolescents.