The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The effect of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) on prevention of postpartum dyspareunia in

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Zohreh Alipour 1
Marzeyeh Loripoor 2
Zarrin Sarhadynejad 3
Haleh Tajadini 4
1 M.Sc. of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
2 Associate professor, Department of Midwifery, Geriatric Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Persian Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
4 Associate Professor, Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2022.21141
Abstract
Introduction: Dyspareunia is the most common sexual problem in the postpartum period. Considering the composition and properties of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), there is a probability of its effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of postpartum dyspareunia. The present study was performed aimed to evaluate the effect of fennel on the prevention of postpartum dyspareunia in primiparous women.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 76 primiparous women referred to Rafsanjan Comprehensive Health Service Centers from January 2017 to May 2018. They were randomly selected as available two weeks after delivery and divided into two groups (n=38 in each group) of receiving 500 mg fennel capsules twice a day for 8 weeks and placebo group. Four and eight weeks after the intervention, both groups were examined in terms of dyspareunia by the Marinoff scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS (version 21) and paired-T and Independent t-test and Chi-square test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean dyspareunia score 4 weeks after the intervention in fennel and placebo groups was 0.69 ± 0.61, 0.83 ± 0.69, respectively (p= 0.430) and 8 weeks after the intervention was 0.50 ± 0.57 and 0.70 ± 0.65, respectively (p=0.211). The difference between the mean dyspareunia scores 4 and 8 weeks after delivery was statistically significant in the intervention group (p=0.011). This difference was not significant between the two groups.
Conclusion: Taking 500 mg fennel capsules twice a day from the second week after delivery has no effect on the prevention of postpartum dyspareunia. Further studies are suggested in this area.
 
Keywords
Foeniculum vulgare
Postpartum dyspareunia
Primiparous
  1. Forouzi MA, Mohamadalizadeh S, Soltanahmadi Z, Gazanfari Z. Postpartum stressors from mothers point of view. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2010; 12(4):39-45.
  2. Hasanzadehbeshtian M. Effective factors on woman's sexuality. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2006; 9(1):86-91.
  3. Ghana S, Jouybari LM, Sanagoo A. Exploration of Women's Sexual Experiences during Pregnancy and Breast Feeding. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2013; 16(60):18-24.
  4. Adanikin AI, Awoleke JO, Adeyiolu A, Alao O, Adanikin PO. Resumption of intercourse after childbirth in southwest Nigeria. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care 2015; 20(4):241-8.
  5. Reisman Y, Porst H, Lowenstein L, Tripodi F, Kirana PS. The ESSM manual of sexual medicine. Amsterdam: Medix; 2015.
  6. Holanda JB, Abuchaim ED, Coca KP, Abrão AC. Sexual dysfunction and associated factors reported in the postpartum period. Acta Paulista de Enfermagem 2014; 27:573-8.
  7. Rosen NO, Pukall C. Comparing the prevalence, risk factors, and repercussions of postpartum genito-pelvic pain and dyspareunia. Sexual medicine reviews 2016; 4(2):126-35.
  8. Banaei M, Azizi M, Moridi A, Dashti S, Yabandeh AP, Roozbeh N. Sexual dysfunction and related factors in pregnancy and postpartum: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. Systematic reviews 2019; 8(1):1-5.
  9. Lagaert L, Weyers S, Van Kerrebroeck H, Elaut E. Postpartum dyspareunia and sexual functioning: a prospective cohort study. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care 2017; 22(3):200-6.
  10. Tork Zahrani S, Banaei M, Ozgoli G, Azad M. Investigation of the postpartum female sexual dysfunction in breastfeeding women referring to healthcare centers of Bandar Abbas. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2016; 19(35):1-12.
  11. Kettle C, Ismail KM, O'Mahony F. Dyspareunia following childbirth. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2005; 7(4):245-9.
  12. Mehra N, Tamta G, Nand V. A review on nutritional value, phytochemical and pharmacological attributes of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2021; 10(2):1255-63.
  13. McDonald EA, Gartland D, Small R, Brown SJ. Dyspareunia and childbirth: a prospective cohort study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 2015; 122(5):672-9.
  14. Serati M, Salvatore S, Khullar V, Uccella S, Bertelli E, Ghezzi F, et al. Prospective study to assess risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction after delivery. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 2008; 87(3):313-8.
  15. Connolly A, Thorp J, Pahel L. Effects of pregnancy and childbirth on postpartum sexual function: a longitudinal prospective study. International Urogynecology Journal 2005; 16(4):263-7.
  16. Safarinejad MR, Kolahi AA, Hosseini L. Retracted: the effect of the mode of delivery on the quality of life, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction in primiparous women and their husbands. Elsevier; 2009.
  17. Andrews V, Thakar R, Sultan AH, Jones PW. Evaluation of postpartum perineal pain and dyspareunia—a prospective study. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 2008; 137(2):152-6.
  18. Signorello LB, Harlow BL, Chekos AK, Repke JT. Postpartum sexual functioning and its relationship to perineal trauma: a retrospective cohort study of primiparous women. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2001; 184(5):881-90.
  19. Barrett G, Peacock J, Victor CR, Manyonda I. Cesarean section and postnatal sexual health. Birth 2005; 32(4):306-11.
  20. d Hodnett E, Chalmers B, Kung R, Willan A, Amankwah K, Cheng M, et al. Outcomes at 3 months after planned cesarean vs planned vaginal delivery for breech presentation at term: the international randomized Term Breech Trial. Jama 2002; 287(14):1822-31.
  21. Novak E. Berek & Novak's gynecology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007.
  22. Shandiz FH, Karimi FZ, Rahimi N, Abdolahi M, Anbaran ZK, Ghasemi M, et al. Investigating sexual function and affecting factors in women with breast cancer in Iran. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016; 17(7):3583-6.
  23. Barrett G, Pendry E, Peacock J, Victor C, Thakar R, Manyonda I. Women's sexual health after childbirth. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 2000; 107(2):186-95.
  24. Krychman ML. Vaginal estrogens for the treatment of dyspareunia. The journal of sexual medicine 2011; 8(3):666-74.
  25. Zolnoun DA, Hartmann KE, Steege JF. Overnight 5% lidocaine ointment for treatment of vulvar vestibulitis. Obstetrics & Gynecology 2003; 102(1):84-7.
  26. Chandru S, Nafee T, Ismail K, Kettle C. Evaluation of modified Fenton procedure for persistent superficial dyspareunia following childbirth. Gynecological Surgery 2010; 7(3):245-8.
  27. Ahmadnia E, Haseli A, Karamat A. Therapeutic interventions conducted on improving women’s sexual satisfaction and function during reproductive ages in Iran: a systematic review. Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences 2017; 27(153):146-62.
  28. Weinberger JM, Houman J, Caron AT, Anger J. Female sexual dysfunction: a systematic review of outcomes across various treatment modalities. Sexual medicine reviews 2019; 7(2):223-50.
  29. Ahmad Shirvani M, Bagheri Nesami M. Sexual dysfunction and related factors among breast feeding women. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2011; 14(5):38-44.
  30. Rahimi R, Ardekani MR. Medicinal properties of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. in traditional Iranian medicine and modern phytotherapy. Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2013; 19(1):73-9.
  31. Kooti W, Moradi M, Ali-Akbari S, Sharafi-Ahvazi N, Asadi-Samani M, Ashtary-Larky D. Therapeutic and pharmacological potential of Foeniculum vulgare Mill: a review. Journal of HerbMed Pharmacology 2015; 4(1):1-9.
  32. Albert-Puleo M. Fennel and anise as estrogenic agents. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 1980; 2(4):337-44.
  33. Karimi FZ, Pourali L, Hasanzadeh E, Nosrati SF, Pouresmaeili N, Abdollahi M. Sexual Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Women. Acta Medica Iranica 2021; 59(12):720.
  34. Pourabbas S, Kesmati M, Rasekh A. Study of the the anxiolytic effects of fennel and possible roles of both gabaergic system and estrogen receptors in these effects in adult female rat. Physiology and Pharmacology 2011; 15(1):134-43.
  35. Choi EM, Hwang JK. Antiinflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activities of the fruit of Foeniculum vulgare. Fitoterapia 2004; 75(6):557-65.
  36. Honarvar F, Tadayon M, Afshari P, Namjooyan F, Haghighi MH. The effect of Foeniculum vulgare on serum prolactin level in lactating women. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2013; 16(65):18-24.
  37. Yaralizadeh M, Abedi P, Najar S, Namjoyan F, Saki A. Effect of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) vaginal cream on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Maturitas 2016; 84:75-80.
  38. Najar S, Yaralizadeh M, Abedi P, Namjooyan F. Effect of fennel vaginal cream on dysparonia and sexual satisfaction among postmenopausal women: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2015; 18(171):8-16.
  39. Rather MA, Dar BA, Sofi SN, Bhat BA, Qurishi MA. Foeniculum vulgare: A comprehensive review of its traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and safety. Arabian Journal of Chemistry 2016; 9:S1574-83.
  40. Triviño‐Juárez JM, Romero‐Ayuso D, Nieto‐Pereda B, Forjaz MJ, Oliver‐Barrecheguren C, Mellizo‐Díaz S, et al. Resumption of intercourse, self‐reported decline in sexual intercourse and dyspareunia in women by mode of birth: A prospective follow‐up study. Journal of advanced nursing 2018; 74(3):637-50.
  41. Khadivzadeh T, Najafi MN, Kargarfard L, Ghazanfarpour M, Dizavandi FR, Khorsand I. Effect of fennel on the health status of menopausal women: a systematic and meta-analysis. Journal of menopausal medicine 2018; 24(1):67-74.
  42. Lee HW, Ang L, Kim E, Lee MS. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller) for the management of menopausal women's health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 2021; 43:101360.
  43. Mahboubi M. Foeniculum vulgare as valuable plant in management of women's health. Journal of menopausal medicine 2019; 25(1):1-4.
  44. Ghazanfarpour M, Shokrollahi P, Khadivzadeh T, Baharian Sharghi N, Mirzaii Najmabadi K, Babakhanian M, et al. Effect of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Post reproductive health 2017; 23(4):171-6.
  45. Dizavandi FR, Ghazanfarpour M, Roozbeh N, Kargarfard L, Khadivzadeh T, Dashti S. An overview of the phytoestrogen effect on vaginal health and dyspareunia in peri-and post-menopausal women. Post Reproductive Health 2019; 25(1):11-20.
The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 25, Issue 7
September 2022
Pages 70-78