The effect of Lavender on mood disorders and sexual function due to taking combined oral contraceptive pills (COCs) : A triple-blind, randomized, controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Combined oral contraceptive pills are one of the useful, accessible and easy methods among contraceptive methods, which in addition to the benefits related to prevention in some other cases have therapeutic benefits and pain relief due to some side effects of Such as irritability, mood swings, depression symptoms and sexual disorders are not used or their use is stopped. Some studies clearly demonstrate the impact of combined oral contraceptive pills on brain activity, communication, and hormonal changes that negatively affect women's moods. Therefore, alleviate any of the side effects of these methods would lead to their broader application. In this study, we aimed to reduce the side effects of the method of oral contraceptive pills by examining the effect of lavender on mood disorders and sexual performance issues caused by their use. Method: The present study is a three-blind randomized controlled trial that was conducted on 60 women taking combined oral contraceptive pills living in Tabriz city. After checking the entry and exit criteria, people were placed in two intervention groups (receiving soft gels containing lavender essence oil) and control (receiving placebo). During the 56-day consumption of capsules, anxiety, stress and depression questionnaires 21 and Petersburg sleep quality and women's sexual performance index and mood disorders were completed in three periods (before the intervention, one month after the intervention, two months after the intervention). Result: The mean score of positive mood between the lavender and placebo groups (p<0.001) at two time points after the intervention was statistically significantly different by controlling the baseline and age. Comparing the mean score of negative mood between the lavender and placebo groups at two time points after the intervention, with the control of baseline and age, there was a statistically significant difference(p<0.001). Comparison between groups at two time points after the intervention revealed that sexual desire (p=0.014), sexual arousal (p=0.042), orgasm (p=0.046) and the overall score of sexual performance (p=0.016) p) within 56 days after the intervention and sexual satisfaction (p=0.006) (p=0.007) in both 28 days and 56 days after the intervention (respectively), with the control of baseline values and age, there is a significant difference from They were statistically significant. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the consumption of oral capsules containing lavender essential oil leads to the improvement of mood disorders and sexual performance of people using COCs.