The effect of consuming evening primrose oil on cervical preparation before hysteroscopy: An RCT

Abstract

Background: Herbal medicine could be effective at treating various illnesses. Hysteroscopy can be an effective method for assessing the uterus in terms of anatomical, physiological and pathological anomalies.
 Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of evening primrose oil (EPO) on cervical preparation in women candidates for hysteroscopy.
 Materials and Methods: This study was a double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial including 160 women candidates for diagnostic hysteroscopy who were referred to Alzahra hospital from August 2019-March 2020. They were divided into 2 groups. Group A received 100 mg EPO as a soft gel capsule 6 hr before the hysterectomy in the posterior vaginal fornix. Group B received a placebo. After receiving the treatment, primary and secondary outcomes were evaluated in the groups.
 Results: The average Hegar size in the EPO group was larger than in the control group (p < 0.001 for both). Also, the need for mechanical dilation, the time taken until the first resistance and the time of dilatation completion in the EPO group were significantly less than in the placebo group (p < 0.008 for all). There was also greater ease of dilatation in the EPO group. Side effects such as uterine rupture, false passage, cervical rupture, allergic reaction, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, headache and increase of bowel movements were not reported in any cases.
 Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, EPO is effective for cervical preparation in women undergoing hysteroscopy.
 Key words: Hysteroscopy, Dilatation, EPOGAM, Gamma-linolenic acid.

Comparison of Misoprostol and Evening Primrose Oil on Cervical Preparation Before Gynecological Surgery

“…The results of a study by Mansour Ghanaei et al 19 of 160 female candidates for diagnostic hysteroscopy showed that the mean Hegar size in women receiving two softgels of 500-mg EPO vaginally 6 hours before the procedure was significantly higher than the placebo group. No side effects such as uterine rupture, cervical rupture, diarrhea, nausea, or abdominal pain were observed in the EPO group.…”

“…The results of multiple studies showed that EPO is effective in preparing the cervix before gynecological surgery 13,17–19 . EPO has been suggested as an alternative treatment to improve women's health due to its convenience and cost‐effectiveness, 19 but research in this field is limited.…”

“…The results of multiple studies showed that EPO is effective in preparing the cervix before gynecological surgery 13,17–19 . EPO has been suggested as an alternative treatment to improve women's health due to its convenience and cost‐effectiveness, 19 but research in this field is limited. There are still many questions surrounding EPO and its application, such as the optimal dose and routes of administration, that have not been answered 15,16 .…”

Effects of the aroma of lemone verbena (Aloysia citriodoraPaláu) essential oil on anxiety and the hemodynamic profile before cesarean section: A randomized clinical trial

“…Aromatherapy which uses essential oil derived from plants, is a complementary and alternative medicine 13 . There has been a lot of research on anxiolytic properties of Lavandula angustifolia , Rosa damascene , and Osmanthus fragrans 14,15 . Lemon verbena (LV) belongs to the lemon verbenaceae family so its leaves have lemon odor and flavor.…”

“… 13 There has been a lot of research on anxiolytic properties of Lavandula angustifolia , Rosa damascene , and Osmanthus fragrans . 14 , 15 Lemon verbena (LV) belongs to the lemon verbenaceae family so its leaves have lemon odor and flavor. This plant was initially cultivated in Central and South America and was transferred to Europe in the 17th century.…”