title: Comparing the effects of Calendula officinalis and clotrimazole on vaginal Candidiasis: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: This triple-blind trial examined the effects of Calendula officinalis vaginal cream on the treatment of vaginal Candidiasis (primary outcome) and sexual function (secondary outcome). Married women aged 18-45 years with vaginal Candidiasis (n = 150) were recruited from April to October 2014 and randomized into Calendula and clotrimazole groups, using 5-g vaginal cream every night for seven nights. Clinical and laboratory assessments were conducted at 10-15 and 30-35 days after intervention and the female sexual function index was assessed at 30-35 days. Six women were lost to follow-up. The frequency of testing negative for Candidiasis in the Calendula group was significantly lower at the first (49% vs. 74%; odds ratio (OR) 0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16-0.67) but higher at the second (77% vs. 34%; OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.5-6.2) follow-up compared to the clotrimazole group. The frequency of most signs and symptoms were almost equal in the two groups at the first follow-up, but were significantly lower in the Calendula group at the second follow-up. Sexual function had almost equal significant improvement in both groups. Calendula vaginal cream appears to have been effective in the treatment of vaginal Candidiasis and to have a delayed but greater long-term effect compared to clotrimazole.
authors.affiliation: a Students' Research Committee, Department of Midwifery , Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Tabriz , Iran.
authors.forename: Elnaz
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saffari
authors.affiliation: b Social Determinants of Health Research Centre, Department of Midwifery , Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Tabriz , Iran.
authors.forename: Sakineh
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4785-9333
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi
authors.affiliation: c Department of Parasitology , Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Tabriz , Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adibpour
authors.affiliation: d Department of Midwifery , Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Tabriz , Iran.
authors.forename: Mojgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mirghafourvand
authors.affiliation: e Department of Pharmaceutics , Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Tabriz , Iran.
authors.forename: Yousef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Javadzadeh
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020838:Calendula / Q000009:adverse effects; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003022:Clotrimazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; D003022:Clotrimazole
keywords: Calendula officinalis; clotrimazole; sexual function; vaginal Candidiasis