Saffron for treatment of fluoxetine‐induced sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled study

Abstract

Objective Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has shown beneficial aphrodisiac effects in some animal and human studies. The aim of the present study was to assess the safety and efficacy of saffron on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-induced sexual dysfunction in women. Methods This was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Thirty-eight women with major depression who were stabilized on fluoxetine 40 mg/day for a minimum of 6 weeks and had experienced subjective feeling of sexual dysfunction entered the study. The patients were randomly assigned to saffron (30 mg/daily) or placebo for 4 weeks. Measurement was performed at baseline, week 2, and week 4 using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Side effects were systematically recorded. Results Thirty-four women had at least one post-baseline measurement and completed the study. Two-factor repeated measure analysis of variance showed significant effect of time  treatment interaction [Greenhouse-Geisser's corrected: Conclusions It seems saffron may safely and effectively improve some of the fluoxetine-induced sexual problems including arousal, lubrication, and pain.

Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Side Effects: Incidence, Assessment, Clinical Implications, and Management

“…In a study from Iran, 34 women taking fluoxetine received saffron (15 mg twice daily), a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, or placebo for 4 weeks. 49 The saffron group reported improvement in arousal, lubrication, and pain. The side effect and safety profile was similar between saffron and placebo, which the authors highlight as a benefit of saffron compared to cyproheptadine or yohimbine (which may exacerbate mood symptoms).…”

Saffron: a natural product with potential pharmaceutical applications

“…[111] Moreover, saffron seemed to ameliorate the sexual arousal, lubrication and pain domains of fluoxetinerelated sexual dysfunction in women. [112] However, there is no clear clinical evidence regarding neither the aphrodisiac effect of saffron nor its effectiveness on erectile dysfunction in males. In fact, inconsistent results were found in two clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of saffron on erectile dysfunction.…”

Effects of Saffron Aqueous Extract and Its Main Constituent, Crocin, on Health-Related Quality of Life, Depression, and Sexual Desire in Coronary Artery Disease Patients: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a traditional therapeutic agent (11) mental, and cardiovascular disorders; moreover, it is used as an analgesic and antiinflammatory agent (12). Recent experimental and clinical findings indicate that saffron may have potentials in the treatment of mild to moderate depression, as well as some sexual problems (13)(14)(15)(16). The main carotenoid in saffron, crocin, seems to be responsible for its beneficial effects on mental and sexual health (14,17).…”