The Effect of Ginseng on sexual quality of life and menopausal symptoms: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Sexual quality of life is one of the most important issues that are largely overlooked during the menopausal period. This study aimed to determine the effect of ginseng on Sexual quality of life and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction.Methods: This study was a double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial that was conducted on 62 postmenopausal women who were randomly assigned to intervention/control groups using block randomization. The intervention group received 500 mg of Panax ginseng and the control group received placebo twice daily for four weeks. Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) and Greene menopausal symptoms scale questionnaires were completed before and 4 weeks after intervention.Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics and basic scores of quality of life and menopausal symptoms (P> 0.05). After the intervention, the Mean total score of quality of life (-20.79, -25.83 to -15.75, P<0.001) and menopausal symptoms (-8.17, -10.21 to -6.13, P<0.001) in the treatment group were significantly lower than the control group.Conclusion: Ginseng has significant effects in improving quality of life and mitigating menopausal symptoms. As a multi-target plant, Ginseng can be a non-negligible natural remedy for healthy aging in menopausal women.Message for policymakers: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) is a progressive condition during the Menopausal period that adversely affects women’s sexual function.This syndrome along with the high comorbidity of age-related and chronic diseases plays significant roles in deteriorating the women’s sexual life. Unlike vasomotor symptoms, which attenuate over time, GSM gradually intensifies, and these symptoms may not even be tangible for the individual. If GSM is left untreated, sexual dysfunction intensifies. Sexual dysfunction is linked with several psychological problems such as depression and adversely affects mental health. It must be considered as one of the priorities of health policymakers.

کلیدواژه ها:

Ginseng ، Menopause symptoms ، Sexual quality of life