• Sedigheh Amir Ali Akbari, Seideh Hanieh Alamolhoda, Alireza Akbarzadeh Baghban, and Parvaneh Mirabi.
• Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
• J Res Med Sci. 2014 Jul 1; 19 (7): 629633629-33.

BackgroundNipple fissure is a common disorder during breastfeeding. With high prevalence of nipple fissures and its impacts on breastfeeding, as well as the existence of evidence in favor of the application of peppermint as an antiinflammatory and antiinfection herb, the purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Menthol essence on improving nipple fissures in the primiparous breastfeeding women.Materials And MethodsThis study was conducted using a clinical trial method. Samples were divided randomly into two groups of 55 women. The women in the peppermint group applied four drops of Menthol essence on their nipple and areola after each feeding. The control group applied four drops of their own milk on the nipple and areola after each feeding. Then, the two groups were studied on days 10 and 14 postpartum. For intensity of pain, the visual analog scale (0-10 cm) and to measure the severity of damage, Amir scale (1-10 cm) were applied and the existence or lack of nipple discharge was also recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS 17 software.ResultsThe mean intensity of pain and nipple fissure before treatment (8.55 ± 1.74) and day 10 after delivery (4.26 ± 1.57) and before treatment and day 14 after delivery in the case group (1.32 ± 1.02) had a significant difference (P < 0.001). Nipple discharge between the two groups, before treatment (%75.2) and day 10 after delivery (%31.6) and before treatment and day 14 after delivery (%15.7), the case group had a significant difference (P < 0.001).ConclusionMenthol essence can improve nipple fissures in the primiparous breastfeeding women.

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