Evaluating the safety and efficacy of wormwood vaginal cream on sexual satisfaction and quality of sexual life of postmenopausal women: a randomized, triple-blinds, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Abstract

Background: The physical and mental changes created during menopause cause sexual dysfunction, which affects the quality of life, self-esteem, and emotional relationships. Wormwood cream contains tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids, phytosterols, and alkaloids. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of wormwood vaginal cream on the sexual satisfaction and quality of sexual life of postmenopausal women.

Method: This study was a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted on 112 postmenopausal women (45-65 years old) in 2021. The studied women were randomly assigned to two wormwood cream or placebo groups. Wormwood cream or placebo was used for 4 weeks and 3 times a week. The main data collection tools included the Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (LSSQ) and the Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire (SQOL-F). SPSS software version 26 and independent t, Mann-Whitney, paired t and Wilcoxon tests were used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Before the intervention, the mean and standard deviation of sexual satisfaction was 73.57 ± 3.84 in the intervention group and 73.16 ± 4.52 in the placebo group. After the intervention, the mean and standard deviation of sexual satisfaction in the intervention group was 75.34 ± 3.85 and in the placebo group was 72.82 ± 4.32. The quality of women's sexual life before of the intervention in the intervention and placebo groups was 59.16 ± 14.10 and 57.18 ± 12.38, and after the intervention, it was 83.00 ± 11.51and 69.64 ± 12.97, respectively. At the end of 4 weeks, participants in the wormwood cream group showed a significant improvement in sexual satisfaction and the quality of women's sexual life (P < 0.001). It was meaningful.

Conclusion: Based on the findings of this trial, wormwood vaginal cream can be used as an uncomplicated topical supplement to improve sexual satisfaction and quality of sexual life in postmenopausal women with low sexual satisfaction and quality of sexual life.