Aromatherapy for Sexual Problems in Menopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Author:
Talat KHADIVZADEH
1
;
Mona Najaf NAJAFI
;
Masumeh GHAZANFARPOUR
;
Morvarid IRANI
;
Fatemeh Rajab DIZAVANDI
;
Khatereh SHARIATI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Meta-Analysis
- Keywords: Aromatherapy; Menopause; Sexuality
- MeSH: Aromatherapy; Female; Foeniculum; Follow-Up Studies; Geranium; Humans; Inhalation; Lavandula; Menopause; Population Characteristics; Sexuality
- From:Journal of Menopausal Medicine 2018;24(1):56-61
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is the exploration of the potential evidence of the effectiveness of aromatherapy products on the sexual function of menopausal women. METHODS: From inception to December 2017, the search process was performed using the MEDLINE and Scopus databases and the Cochrane Library regarding the trials on the effectiveness of herbal-medicine aromatherapy on the sexual function of menopausal women. RESULTS: Three of the trials comprise suitable data for inclusion in the meta-analysis. According to the meta-analysis, it is possible to improve the standardized mean difference (SMD) of the sexual desire up to 0.56 in the aromatherapy group compared with the control group (SMD = 0.56; P < 0.001; heterogeneity; I² = 42%; P = 0.141). According to one of the trials, the serum-estrogen level of two different doses did not change in the neroli oil inhalation group compared with the almond-oil group. CONCLUSIONS: Both aromatherapy with neroli oil or lavender (monopreparation) and combined-oil aromatherapy with lavender, fennel, geranium, and rose significantly improved human sexual function; however, a significant change of the serum-estrogen level was not detected. The findings of the present review should be presented cautiously because of the corresponding limitations such as the lack of a standardized tool, the lack of intention-to-treat reporting, the low study amount, and the short-term follow-up.
