Efficacy of Tribulus Teresteris in female sexual disorder in reproductive ages

Aim: Evaluation of efficacy of Tribulus teresteris on sexual response in women with reduced libido Design: Reduced libido is a complaint of 30-50% in women. Despite its high prevalence, there are not enough studies about its management. Aside from hormonal therapy, there are no current FDA approved medical treatments for reduced libido in female patients. Setting and conduct: Many herbal remedies have been used for reduced libido in women in the Iranian traditional medicine practice including Tribulus teresteris. Our study will evaluate this herbal remedy in such group of patients. Participants: Inclusion criteria: Women with reduced libido; without any serious disease; with a recent normal pap smear (it coab be three months old); and normal vaginal and breast physical examination are the choice. Exclusion criteria: If the sexual partner is present less than half of the month; past medical history of breast or genital cancer and under therapy for depression or other physical or mental disorders. Intervention: This is a double blind study comparing the herbal remedy with the placebo.The sample size is 60 women, who undergo an interview in the beginning ot the study to confirm their reduced libido according with DSM4 criteria. Measures: Subsequently they fill FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index) questionnaire and receive the herbal remedy. The subjects will be seen 2 and 6 weeks after being on therapy. They fill the same questionnaire after being on treatment for 6 weeks. FSFI questionnaire evaluate five elements: desire, arousal, satisfaction, orgasm and dysparonia. This study evaluate the effect of our herbal remedy Tribulus teresteris, on those five elements.

Vice chancellor for research Traditional Medicine Faculty of Tehran University of Medicine