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Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 2016; 38(03): 140-146
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1571472
Original Article
Thieme Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Assessment of the Effects of Tribulus Terrestris on Sexual Function of Menopausal Women

Avaliação dos efeitos do Tribulus Terrestris na sexualidade de mulheres no climatério
Sóstenes Postigo
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo—FCMSCSP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Sônia Maria Rolim Rosa Lima
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo—FCMSCSP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Silvia Saito Yamada
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo—FCMSCSP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Benedito Fabiano dos Reis
2   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade do Vale Do Sapucaí—UNIVAS, Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil
,
Gustavo Maximiliano Dutra da Silva
3   Graduate Program, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP; Universidade São Francisco Campus of Bragança Paulista, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil
,
Tsutomu Aoki
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo—FCMSCSP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

18 November 2015

02 December 2015

Publication Date:
22 February 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to study the effects of Tribulus terrestris on sexual function in menopausal women.

Methods This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that included 60 postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction. The women were divided into two groups, placebo group and Tribulus group, and evaluated by using the Sexual Quotient—female version (SQ-F) and Female Intervention Efficacy Index (FIEI) questionnaires.

Results There was no significant difference between the groups in age, age at menopause, civil status, race, and religion. In the evaluation with the SQ-F questionnaire, there were significant differences between the placebo (7.6 ± 3.2) and Tribulus (10.2 ± 3.2) groups in the domains of desire and sexual interest (p ≤ 0.001), foreplay (3.3 ± 1.5 versus 4.2 ± 1.0) (p ≤ 0.01), arousal and harmonious interaction with the partner (5.7 ± 2.1 versus 7.2 ± 2.6) (p ≤ 0.01), and comfort in sexual intercourse (6.5 ± 2.4 versus 8.0 ± 1.9) (p ≤ 0.01). There was no significant difference between the placebo and Tribulus groups in the domains of orgasm and sexual satisfaction (p = 0.28). In the FIEI questionnaire, there was a significant improvement (p < 0.001) in the domains of vaginal lubrication during coitus and/or foreplay (20 versus 83.3%), sensation in the genitalia during sexual intercourse or other stimuli (16.7 versus 76.7%), sensation in the genital region (20 versus 70%), sexual intercourse and/or other sexual stimulations (13.3 versus 43.3%), and the ability to reach orgasm (20% versus 73.3%). There was no significant difference in adverse effects between the two groups.

Conclusions After 90 days of treatment, at the doses used, we found Tribulus terrestris to be effective in treating sexual problems among menopausal women.

Resumo

Objetivo Estudar os efeitos do Tribulus terrestris na função sexual de mulheres após a menopausa.

Métodos Ensaio clínico, prospectivo, randomizado, duplo-cego, placebo controlado, com 60 mulheres após a menopausa com disfunção sexual, divididas em dois grupos: Grupo Placebo e Grupo Tribulus, avaliadas através dos questionários Quociente Sexual-versão Feminina (QS-F) e Female Intervention Efficacy Index (FIEI).

Resultados Não houve diferença significante entre os grupos quanto à idade, idade de menopausa, estado civil, raça e religião. Na avaliação do questionário QS-F houve diferença significante entre os grupos Placebo (7,6 ± 3,2) e Tribulus (10,2 ± 3,2) nos aspectos desejo e interesse sexual (p ≤ 0,001), preliminares (3,3 ± 1,5 versus 4,2 ± 1,0) (p ≤ 0,01), excitação da mulher e sintonia com o parceiro (5,7 ± 2,1 versus 7,2 ± 2,6) (p ≤ 0,01) e no aspecto conforto na relação sexual (6,5 ± 2,4 versus 8,0 ± 1,9) (p ≤ 0,01). O aspecto orgasmo e satisfação sexual não houve diferença significante entre o Grupo Placebo e Tribulus (p = 0,28). No questionário FIEI houve melhora significante (p < 0,001) na lubrificação vaginal durante o coito e/ou preliminares (20 versus 83,3%), na sensação nas genitálias durante a relação sexual ou outros estímulos (16,7 versus 76,7%), na sensação na área genital (20 versus 70%), nas relações sexuais e/ou outras estimulações sexuais (13,3 versus 43,3%) e na capacidade de ter orgasmo (20% versus 73,3%). Quanto aos efeitos colaterais não houve diferença significante entre os dois Grupos.

Conclusões Após noventa dias, podemos concluir que o Tribulus terrestris nas doses utilizadas demonstrou ser efetivo no tratamento das queixas sexuais das mulheres após a menopausa.

Keywords

sexuality - menopause - physiological sexual dysfunction - tribulus - phytotherapeutic medicines

Palavras-chave

sexualidade - menopausa - disfuncão sexual fisiológica - Tribulus - medicamentos fitoterápicos
 

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