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.
Highlights
Menopause is the permanent cessation of menses, typically occurs in women of 45-55 years
The present study was conducted to show the effect of Nigella sativa on sex hormones i-e., estradiol level, testosterone level and estradiol testosterone ratio (E/T)
Recommendation: 1. We recommend that Nigella sativa may be used by postmenopausal females on regular basis to improve their quality of life
Summary
Menopause is the permanent cessation of menses, typically occurs in women of 45-55 years. 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. Nigella sativa has been extensively studied for its biological activities and therapeutic properties i.e as anticancer, antihypertensive and antidiabetic, pain killer, antidiarrheal and many more.[6] Research has shown that volatile oil of Nigella sativa contains significant amount of sex hormones like estradiol (278.56 pg/ml), progesterone (5.55 ng/ml), prolactin (< 0.5 ng/ ml) and testosterone (1.8 ng/ ml).[7] More over Nigella sativa has estrogen like effects on uterine endometrium and on vaginal cells, as has been shown by the study conducted in ovarectimized female rats.[8] regular use of Nigella sativa may increase estradiol levels, decrease severity of menopausal symptoms and improve the lives of postmenopausal females
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