Effect of Nigella sativa on Estradiol Levels and Menopausal Symptoms in Post-Menopausal Females

Abstract

Introduction: Menopause is the permanent cessation of menses, typically occurs in women of 45-55 years. Menopause is associated with a number of somatic, psychological and sexual symptoms due to decline in estradiol levels resulting in poor quality of life of postmenopausal females. Aims & Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of Nigella sativa on menopausal symptoms and estradiol levels in postmenopausal females. Place and duration of study: Department of Physiology PGMI, Lahore for 8 weeks. Material & Methods: It was an interventional study conducted on 30 postmenopausal females. Nigella sativa was administered in the dose of 1g/day after breakfast for a period of 8 weeks. Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS) was filled and blood sample was taken before and after giving Nigella sativa for estradiol and testosterone levels. Data was analyzed by paired t-test using SPSS-21 and p- value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The result of the study showed that there was statistically significant reduction in the overall score of MRS (p = 0.001) and in all its domains, somatic (p=0.001), psychological (p=0.001) and urogenital (p=0.017). There was also significant improvement in blood estradiol level after 8 weeks of Nigella sativa administration (p= 0.021). Conclusion: Nigella sativa supplementation increases estradiol level and decreases menopausal symptoms severity as indicted by significant reduction in the 3 domains of MRS and may be used by postmenopausal females on regular basis to improve their quality of life.

The Use of Nigella sativa in Cardiometabolic Diseases

“…Nigella sativa powder supplementation at the dose of 1 g/day for 8 weeks in 30 healthy postmenopausal women significantly increased estradiol levels (p = 0.021) and reduced menopausal symptom severity, as evaluated with the Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS) subdivided into three categories, which assess somatic (hot flashes, heart discomfort, sleep problems, joint muscular discomfort) (p = 0.001), psychological (depressive mood, irritability, anxiety, physical and mental exhaustion) (p = 0.001), and urogenital (sexual problems, bladder problems, dryness of vagina) symptoms (p = 0.017) [96].…”