The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Efficacy of Nettle Oral Capsules on Sexual Desire and Satisfaction in Menopausal Women: A Triple-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Niloufar Azarboon 1
Roshanak Salari 2
Seyed Reza Mazloom 3
Behnaz Soveizi 4
Raheleh Babazadeh 5
1 M.Sc. Student of Midwifery, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Persian Medicine, School of Persian and Complementary Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3 Instructor, Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Midwifery, Fellowship in Infertility, Faculty of Medicine, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.
5 Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2026.91182.6551
Abstract
Introduction: Sexual desire disorder is among the most prevalent forms of sexual dysfunction in the postmenopausal women, and women with low sexual desire also have negative feelings about sexual satisfaction. The present study was conducted with aim to investigate the efficacy of nettle oral capsules on sexual desire and satisfaction in menopausal women.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 60 menopausal women who had sexual desire and satisfaction disorders in Sabzevar city in 2022. The subjectts were randomly divided into nettle oral capsule (n=30) and placebo (n=30) groups and consumed one 500 mg nettle oral capsule or placebo daily for 4 weeks. The main data collection tool was the Halbert Sexual Desire and Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire to access changes in dependent variables at baseline and the fourth and eighth weeks after the intervention. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 16) and Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney, Chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Before the intervention, the mean of sexual desire and satisfaction scores in the intervention group were 54.1±2.4 and 64.4±1.1, and in the control group were 53.2±2.3 and 62.7±1.5. In the fourth week, these values were 57.1±3.0 (p=0.031) and 78.1±4.1 (p=0.001) in the intervention group and 53.7±2.3 and 63.3±1.5 in the control group. In eight week (4 weeks after the end of the intervention), the mean of sexual desire scores was 53.6±2.3 in the control group and 56.1±2.5 in the intervention group (p=0.981). The mean of sexual satisfaction scores was 63.9±1.3 in the control group and 76.1±1.5 in the intervention group (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Nettle oral capsules improve sexual desire and satisfaction in menopausal women and can be recommended as a safe complementary treatment due to the lack of specific side effects.
Keywords
Nettle
Menopause
Sexual Desire
Sexual Satisfaction
Subjects
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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 29, Issue 1
March 2026
Pages 52-64