title: Assessment of the Effects of Tribulus Terrestris on Sexual Function of Menopausal Women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to study the effects of Tribulus terrestris on sexual function in menopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that included 60 postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction. The women were divided into two groups, placebo group and Tribulus group, and evaluated by using the Sexual Quotient-female version (SQ-F) and Female Intervention Efficacy Index (FIEI) questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between the groups in age, age at menopause, civil status, race, and religion. In the evaluation with the SQ-F questionnaire, there were significant differences between the placebo (7.6 ± 3.2) and Tribulus (10.2 ± 3.2) groups in the domains of desire and sexual interest (p ≤ 0.001), foreplay (3.3 ± 1.5 versus 4.2 ± 1.0) (p ≤ 0.01), arousal and harmonious interaction with the partner (5.7 ± 2.1 versus 7.2 ± 2.6) (p ≤ 0.01), and comfort in sexual intercourse (6.5 ± 2.4 versus 8.0 ± 1.9) (p ≤ 0.01). There was no significant difference between the placebo and Tribulus groups in the domains of orgasm and sexual satisfaction (p = 0.28). In the FIEI questionnaire, there was a significant improvement (p < 0.001) in the domains of vaginal lubrication during coitus and/or foreplay (20 versus 83.3%), sensation in the genitalia during sexual intercourse or other stimuli (16.7 versus 76.7%), sensation in the genital region (20 versus 70%), sexual intercourse and/or other sexual stimulations (13.3 versus 43.3%), and the ability to reach orgasm (20% versus 73.3%). There was no significant difference in adverse effects between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After 90 days of treatment, at the doses used, we found Tribulus terrestris to be effective in treating sexual problems among menopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo-FCMSCSP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sóstenes
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Postigo
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo-FCMSCSP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sônia Maria Rolim Rosa
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo-FCMSCSP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Silvia Saito
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade do Vale Do Sapucaí-UNIVAS, Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil.
authors.forename: Benedito Fabiano
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: dos Reis
authors.affiliation: Graduate Program, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP; Universidade São Francisco Campus of Bragança Paulista, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo Maximiliano Dutra
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo-FCMSCSP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aoki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy*; D032444:Tribulus
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts