Effects of oral ginger capsule on sexual function and sexual quality of life in women: A double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial - 26/11/22

Doi : 10.1016/j.sexol.2022.03.004

Z. Afshar ^a , S. Shahali ^a,^⁎ , H. Rastad ^b
^a Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
^b Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Alborz, Iran

^⁎Corresponding author. Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, PO Box: 14115-111, Tehran, Iran.Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares UniversityPO Box: 14115-111TehranIran

Summary

Background

Women's sexual dysfunction is a public health concern with a variety of physical and psychological consequences that influence couples’ quality of life. The present study is conducted to evaluate the effect of the oral ginger capsule on the sexual function and sexual quality of life of reproductive-age women.

Methods

This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was performed on 190 women of reproductive age refereeing to health care centers of Alborz Province, Iran during July 2019- November 2020. The women's baseline sexual function and sexual quality of life were assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and sexual quality of life-female (SQOL-F) questionnaire. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group which received, 250mg oral ginger capsules four times a day for four weeks, and the control group was received four placebos (250 mg) capsules every day for the same period of time. Women's sexual quality of life, and sexual function, were evaluated four weeks after the start of the intervention.

Results

The mean total score of sexual function four weeks after the start of the study in the intervention group was significantly improved compared to before the intervention (27.93±4.97 vs30.94±3.43 (p<0.001). The sexual quality of life in the intervention group was significantly improved after four weeks of intervention, compared to before the intervention (93.74±17.84 vs 100.9±11.14, p<0.001) and compared to the control group (100.9 vs 97.2).

Conclusions

The findings of this study show that oral ginger capsule has the potential to improve the sexual function and sexual quality of life of reproductive-age women.