title: Clinical Assessment of Tribulus terrestris Extract in the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction.
abstract: This is a qualitative-quantitative study based on hospital records of female patients of reproductive age, presenting sexual dysfunction, and treated with 250 mg Tribulus terrestris extract (1 tablet thrice daily for 90 days). Safety monitoring included vital signs, physical examination, laboratory tests, and occurrence of adverse events. Efficacy analysis included results of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels together with total and free testosterone, and the patient and physician assessments. There was a statistically significant improvement in total FSFI scores (P < 0.0001) post-treatment, with improvement among 106 (88.33%) subjects. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.0001) increase in the level of DHEA, while the levels of both serum testosterone (P = 0.284) and free testosterone decreased (P < 0.0001). Most adverse events recorded were related to the gastrointestinal tract. Physical examination showed no significant changes post-treatment. Based on the results, it is concluded that the T. terrestris extract is safe and effective in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology-Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) São Paulo-SP, Brazil. ; Department of Gynecology-Fundação Educacional Serra dos Órgãos (UNIFESO) Teresópolis-RJ, Brazil. ; Colégio Brasileiro de Cirurgiões-Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil. ; Department of Gynecologic Endoscopy-UNIFESO Teresópolis-RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos Rb
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Gama
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology-Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) São Paulo-SP, Brazil. ; Department of Gynecology-Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF) Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lasmar
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecologic Endoscopy-UNIFESO Teresópolis-RJ, Brazil. ; Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics Service-Hospital das Clínicas-UNIFESO Teresópolis-RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Gama
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics-Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Abreu
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine-UNIFESO Teresópolis-RJ, Brazil. ; Department of Clinical Immunology-Instituto de Pós-Graduação Médica Carlos Chagas (IPGMCC) Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Immunology-Instituto de Pós-Graduação Médica Carlos Chagas (IPGMCC) Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil. ; Department of Immunology-UNIFESO Teresópolis-RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Geller
authors.affiliation: Researcher in Immunology and Microbiology-UNIFESO Teresópolis-RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Immunology-Instituto de Pós-Graduação Médica Carlos Chagas (IPGMCC) Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil. ; Department of Clinical Genetics-UFRJ Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santos
keywords: Tribulus terrestris; female sexual dysfunction; female sexual function index