The Impact of Equisetum arvense Vaginal Cream On Premature Rupture of Membranes in Primiparous Women with Striae Gravidarum: A Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Background & aim: One of the risk factors of premature rupture of membranes is striae gravidarum, which occurs in ۵۰-۹۰% of pregnancies due to poor skin elasticity. It was found that Equisetum arvense is a medicinal plant containing silicic acid, which can increase tissue elasticity, strength and resistance by stimulating collagen synthesis. Therefore, this study examined the effect of Equisetum arvense vaginal cream on premature rupture of membranes in primiparous women with striae gravidarum.Methods: This triple-blind randomized controlled trial was performed on ۹۰ pregnant women with gestational age of ۳۷-۳۸ weeks who had moderate and severe striae gravidarum, referred to the prenatal governmental and private clinics in Mashhad, Iran, between ۲۰۲۰ and ۲۰۲۱. Intervention and placebo groups, who were randomly assigned using quadruple blocks, soaked every night the beginning of the vagina with a fingertip of ۳% Equisetum arvense vaginal cream or placebo from the beginning of ۳۷-۳۸ weeks until delivery. The occurrence of premature rupture of membranes was confirmed in case amniotic fluid leaks two hours before the onset of uterine contractions. Data were analyzed using independent t-test and Mann-Whitney.Results: The subjects in the two groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic and obstetric variables. Premature rupture of membranes in the intervention group (۱۳.۰%) was significantly lower than the placebo group (۳۸.۶%) (p = ۰.۰۰۵).Conclusion: Equisetum arvense vaginal cream is effective in preventing premature rupture of membranes. Therefore, its use is recommended to prevent premature rupture of membranes in women with moderate and severe striae gravidarum.

کلیدواژه ها:

Premature rupture of membranes ، Striae gravidarum ، Equisetum Arvense Primiparous Women