Sexual dysfunction (sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and pain) in postmenopausal women. Sexual dysfunction not due to a substance or known physiological condition
Conditions
Interventions
Intervention 1: Intervention group: Participants in the intervention group receive one curcumin capsule with a dose of 500 milligrams daily for 8 weeks. The curcumin capsules are prepared from standar
Sponsors
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
Female
Age
45 Years to 55 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Participants must have Iranian nationality. Participants must have at least basic literacy skills (ability to read and write). Women must be residents of the city of Tehran. Participants must not be consumers of cigarettes, alcohol, or narcotic substances. Participants must not have speech, behavioral, or mental disorders that hinder communication with the researcher. Women must be postmenopausal, defined as having experienced at least 12 consecutive months without menstruation. Menopause must have occurred naturally (not resulting from oophorectomy). Participants must not have experienced premature menopause. Participants must have no history of hypersensitivity to herbal medicines. Participants must have no dietary restrictions. Participants must not have diseases that affect sexual function, based on their self-report (e.g., musculoskeletal disorders, multiple sclerosis, endometriosis, diabetes, hypertension). Participants must have been sexually active within the past six months. The spouse of the postmenopausal woman must not have sexual dysfunction (e.g., erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation), based on the woman’s self-report. Neither the participants nor their spouses must have diagnosed mental health disorders, based on the woman’s self-report. Participants must not have used any hormonal medications within the past six months. Participants must not have used dietary or herbal supplements affecting sexual function (e.g., ginseng, vitagnus, maca, Femmaxite capsules, flibanserin) within the past six months, based on the woman’s self-report. Participants must not have undergone hysterectomy, oophorectomy, cystocele repair, rectocele repair, or mastectomy. Participants must not have kidney diseases, chronic diarrhea, or conditions causing malabsorption (e.g., celiac disease, Crohn’s disease), based on the woman’s self-report. Participants must not have experienced significant life crises within the past six months, such as the death or terminal illness of a family member, relocation, job loss, infidelity, or be in the process of divorce.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Use of any herbal medicine or supplement (including corticosteroids, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, pantoprazole, omeprazole, immunosuppressive drugs to prevent organ transplant rejection, and amphotericin B) during the study. Presence of potential hypersensitivity to the capsule. Lack of willingness to continue participating in the study. Development of acute kidney or liver diseases that, based on a physician’s opinion, require discontinuation of treatment. Incorrect consumption of curcumin capsules or consumption of less than 80% of the required dose during the study period. Occurrence of stressful events, such as the death of a close relative or undergoing surgery, during the study period. Cessation of sexual activity during the study for any reason (such as illness, death of a spouse, etc.).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Total Score of Sexual Function in Postmenopausal Women The primary outcome variable of this study is the total score of sexual function in postmenopausal women, measured using the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire. This questionnaire comprises 19 questions that assess sexual function across six domains: sexual desire, arousal, vaginal lubrication, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and sexual pain. The total score is calculated by summing the scores of these domains and ranges from 2 to 36, with higher scores indicating better sexual function. The effect of curcumin capsule consumption compared to placebo is evaluated based on this score as the primary measure. Timepoint: The total score of sexual function in postmenopausal women is measured at three time points: before the start of the intervention, one month after the start of curcumin capsule or placebo consumption, and two months after the start of curcumin capsule or placebo consumption. Method of measurement: Female Sexual Function Index Questionnaire The total score of sexual function in postmenopausal women is measured using the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire. This questionnaire is a standardized tool with 19 questions, completed by participants, that assesses sexual function across six domains: sexual desire, arousal, vaginal lubrication, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and sexual pain. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Sexual desire. Timepoint: Before the start of the intervention, one month after starting to take curcumin capsules or placebo, and two months after starting to take curcumin capsules or placebo. Method of measurement: Female Sexual Function Index Questionnaire(FSFI).;Arousal. Timepoint: Before the start of the intervention, one month after starting to take curcumin capsules or placebo, and two months after starting to take curcumin capsules or placebo. Method of measurement: Female Sexual Function Index Questionnaire(FSFI).;Lubrication. Timepoint: Before the start of the intervention, one month after starting to take curcumin capsules or placebo, and two months after starting to take curcumin capsules or placebo. Method of measurement: Female Sexual Function Index Questionnaire(FSFI).;Orgasm. Timepoint: Before the start of the intervention, one month after starting to take curcumin capsules or placebo, and two months after starting to take curcumin capsules or placebo. Method of measurement: Female Sexual Function Index Questionnaire(FSFI).;Sexual satisfaction. Timepoint: Before the start of the intervention, one month after starting to take curcumin capsules or placebo, and two months after starting to take curcumin capsules or placebo. Method of measurement: Female Sexual Function Index Questionnaire(FSFI).;Pain during intercourse. Timepoint: Before the start of the intervention, one month after starting to take curcumin capsules or placebo, and two months after starting to take curcumin capsules or placebo. Method of measurement: Female Sexual Function Index Questionnaire(FSFI). | — |
Countries
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Contacts
Public Contactzhino shahverdi
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
Outcome results
None listed