THE EFFECT OF LAVENDER AROMATHERAPY ON REDUCING DYSMENORRHEA PAIN LEVELS AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS AT SMPN 3 BANJARBARU

Abstract

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is a highly prevalent gynecological problem among adolescent girls, typically provoked by excessive endometrial prostaglandin hypersecretion that induces spastic myometrial ischemia, physical distress, and academic absenteeism. Non-pharmacological therapies such as lavender aromatherapy (Lavandula angustifolia) offer an accessible, safe complementary intervention; however, empirical evidence from secondary school settings remains essential.

Aims: To determine the effect of lavender aromatherapy on reducing dysmenorrhea pain intensity among adolescent girls at SMPN 3 Banjarbaru in 2026.

Methods: A quantitative pre-experimental study using a one-group pretest-posttest design was conducted in 2026. A sample of 32 female students experiencing primary dysmenorrhea was selected via total sampling from school health clinic (UKS) registers. Lavender essential oil was administered via an ultrasonic diffuser for 15 minutes twice daily over two consecutive days. Menstrual pain intensity was evaluated pre- and post-intervention using the 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (alpha = 0.05).

Result: Prior to intervention, respondents experienced high pain intensity, with a mean score of 4.75 ± 1.016 (min 3, max 6). Following lavender aromatherapy inhalation, pain intensity declined significantly to a mean score of 1.72 ± 1.023 (min 0, max 4), demonstrating a mean difference reduction of 3.03. All 32 respondents (100.0%) exhibited negative ranks (clinical symptom reduction). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test confirmed a statistically significant effect of lavender aromatherapy on dysmenorrhea pain reduction (Z = -4.954, p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Lavender aromatherapy is significantly effective as a non-pharmacological complementary modality in attenuating primary dysmenorrhea pain among adolescent girls.