title: Adjuvant Rosa Damascena has a Small Effect on SSRI-induced Sexual Dysfunction in Female Patients Suffering from MDD.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treating major depressive disorders (MDD) with selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may impact negatively on sexual function. On the other hand, a satisfying sexual life is associated with overall life satisfaction. Therefore, managing this negative side effect of SSRIs may have an important role in the treatment of MDD. In a former study, adjuvant Rosa damascena oil improved sexual dysfunction in male patients suffering from both MDD and SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction (SSRI-I SD). The aim of the present study was to test whether the same pattern of results would be observed among female patients suffering from both SSRI-I SD and MDD.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial, a total of 50 female patients (mean age: 34 years) treated with an SSRI and suffering from MDD and SSRI-I SD were randomly assigned either to the verum (Rosa damascena oil) or to the placebo condition. Patients completed self-ratings of depression and sexual function at baseline, 4 weeks later, and at the end of the study 8 weeks after its start.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sexual desire, sexual orgasms, and sexual satisfaction increased over time. Patients in the verum group reported decreased pain. Overall sexual score increased in the verum as compared to the placebo condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whereas in male patients suffering from both MDD and SSRI-I SD adjuvant Rosa damascena oil improved sexual function, data on female patients are less robust and suggest only modest effects on female sexual function.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Department, Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Farnia
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Department, Student Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hojatitabar
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Department, Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shakeri
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rezaei
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yazdchi
authors.affiliation: Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bajoghli
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holsboer-Trachsler
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brand
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D027826:Rosa; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D010938:Plant Oils; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors