Efficacy of topical rose (Rosa damascena) oil for treatment of cervicitis: a randomised clinical trial

Abstract

IntroductionCervicitis is the most common disease of the female reproductive system, affecting half of all women at some point in their lives. Failure to treat cervicitis can lead to salpingitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility due to the fallopian tube factor, ectopic pregnancy, and pelvic pain syndrome. In this context, early diagnosis and effective treatment of cervicitis could play a pivotal role in its management. Due to the prevalence of cervicitis, its complications, available treatments, simplicity of treatment, and cost-effectiveness of rose oil products, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of traditional Iranian rose oil on cervicitis. MethodsEighty married women referred to a gynaecological clinic aged 17–55 years with a diagnosis of cervicitis randomly received Rose oil, 3 ml per night vaginally for 2 weeks, or routine anti-microbial care for 1 week. Twenty-four to forty-eight hours after the termination of the study, clinical symptoms of cervicitis were examined. ResultsOut of 80 patients included in this study, 64 were re-evaluated. All symptoms including burning, itching, vaginal discharge, pain, bleeding and pain after intercourse, tenderness, cervical wound size, and fragility were improved in both groups with a statistically significant difference relative to the baseline. Discussion/ConclusionsThe use of a vaginal formulation of rose oil diminishes the clinical symptoms of cervicitis without severe complications so it can be used as an alternative treatment in cervicitis, especially in recurring cases.