Highlights
- •This study showed that 4 weeks of using wormwood vaginal gel leads to a statistically significant improvement in the total score of sexual function and its other dimensions (sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and sexual pain).
- •Sexual satisfaction dimensions of is one of the the sexual response cycle, so with the improvement of female sexual function, sexual satisfaction also increases.
- •The findings of this clinical trial showed that wormwood vaginal gel can be used as a harmless topical supplement to improve sexual performance and sexual satisfaction of women of reproductive age.
Abstract
Introduction
All aspects of sexual function are related to sexual satisfaction, and not paying
attention to sexual problems leads to sexual dissatisfaction. According to studies,
sexual satisfaction is a key factor in a couple's quality of life. The aim of this
study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of wormwood vaginal gel in improving
sexual function and sexual satisfaction in women of reproductive age.
Methods
This study was a randomized, triple-blinds, parallel-groups clinical trial performed
on 76 women of reproductive age (18–45 years) referred to the gynecological clinic
of Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad who had sexual dysfunction and low sexual satisfaction.
76 women were assigned to the wormwood gel (n = 38) and placebo (n = 38) groups using
random permuted blocks of sizes 4 or 6 and an allocation ratio of 1:1. Wormwood gel
or placebo was used for 4 weeks and 3 times a week for 4 weeks from22 May to 23 October
2021. The main data collection tools were the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)
and Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (LSSQ) to access changes in sexual function
and sexual satisfaction at baseline and after 4 weeks.
Results
The Mean and Standard Deviation of the age of the studied women was 36.8 ± 5.9 years
in the intervention group and 37.1 ± 7.3 years in the placebo group. Before the intervention,
the Mean and Standard Deviation of the total score of sexual function and sexual satisfaction
in the studied women were 17.70 ± 3.66 and 72.20 ± 6.56 in the intervention group
and in the placebo group were 18.23 ± 3.84 and 73.26 ± 5.86, respectively. At the
end of the intervention, the Mean and Standard Deviation of the total score of female
sexual function and sexual satisfaction in the intervention group were 32.11 ± 2.03
and 96.91 ± 7.93 and in the placebo group were 21.07 ± 3.22 and 75.91 ± 8.87, respectively.
sexual function and satisfaction improved significantly in the wormwood gel compared
to the control group(p < 0.0001).
Conclusions
Based on the findings of this trial, it seems that the wormwood vaginal gel can be
used as a topical supplement to improve sexual function and sexual satisfaction in
women of reproductive age who have sexual dysfunction and low sexual satisfaction.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 05, 2022
Accepted:
November 1,
2022
Received in revised form:
October 23,
2022
Received:
July 12,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
