EPA-0145 – Menopausal Women's Sexual Function and Use of Ginkgo Biloba: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial

Abstract

Sexual health affects women's and their spouse's quality of life. There are several studies that show sexual dysfunction is more prevalent among menopausal women and need to prevent and treat it by using effective pharmacological or none pharmacological methods with less side effects.

Aim:

To assess the effect of oral capsules of Ginkgo Biloba Extract (GBE) on menopausal women's sexual function

Material and Methods:

In this triple blind randomized placebo controlled trial, 80 healthy volunteers’ 50–60 years old menopause women, whom had been admitted in clinics of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), involved (Year 2010–2011). Questioner had two main parts of personal characteristics, and Sabbatsberg Sexual Rating Scale (SSRS), which was used for subjective evaluation of the sexual function before and after intervention. The participants received GBE 120–240 mg or placebo daily for 30 days. (40 in each group) Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Study approved by ethics committee of (TUMS).

Results:

Equality of two groups according to participants’ personal characteristics and pre intervention SSRC were checked. The most domains of sexual function included sexual desire (P<0.05), sexual pleasure (P< 0.01), orgasm (P< 0.05), importance of sex (P< 0.01) during last month and importance of sex in comparison to previous years (P< 0.007) were significantly improved in the GBE group. The mean score of total sexual function in the GBE group had significant difference with placebo group (P< 0.05).

Conclusion:

Findings of this study support positive effect of Ginkgo Biloba on menopausal women's sexual function.