An investigation into the effect of evening primrose in dilatation of cervix and pain during and after hysterosalpingography.

2019-07
Journal of medicine and life 12(3)
- Shahrzad Shahnam Nia
- Fatemeh Safi
- Maryam Shoukrpour
- Alireza Kamali

PubMed: 31666832
DOI: 10.25122/jml-2019-0021

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: 66 candidates for hysterosalpingography
Methods: double-blind clinical trial, randomized into two groups; one group received 1000 mg of evening primrose orally for two days prior, control group received placebo for three days prior
Blinding: Double-blind
Duration: two days prior to hysterosalpingography (evening primrose group); three days prior to hysterosalpingography (control group)
Funding: Unclear

Hysterosalpingography is one of the essential diagnostic methods for examining women who have difficulty becoming pregnant. This procedure is somehow invasive and is associated with numerous complications such as allergic sensitivity, pain, abdominal cramps and shock. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of evening primrose on cervical length and pain during and after hysterosalpingography. In this double-blind clinical trial, 66 candidates for hysterosalpingography were randomly divided into two groups. A group received 1000 mg of evening primrose orally for two days prior to hysterosalpingography, while the control group received a placebo drug similar in size to evening primrose three days prior to hysterosalpingography. The pain level was recorded based on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), during tenaculum placement but also immediately and four hours after hysterosalpingography. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS (version 20). There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of pain during insertion of speculum and injection of the contrast medium (p <0.05). Less pain was reported in the evening primrose group compared to placebo. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the length and diameter of the cervix (p <0.05). Given the fact that it is a medicinal plant with no complications and can reduce pain during speculum insertion and during contrast medium injection, evening primrose seems to be a good drug for managing pain during hysterosalpingography.

Research Insights

Evening Primrose→Reduced Cervical Diameter
There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the length and diameter of the cervix (p <0.05).
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
1000 mg orally for two days prior to hysterosalpingography
Evening Primrose→Reduced Cervical Length
There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the length and diameter of the cervix (p <0.05).
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
1000 mg orally for two days prior to hysterosalpingography
Evening Primrose→Reduced Pain
There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of pain during insertion of speculum and injection of the contrast medium (p <0.05). Less pain was reported in the evening primrose group compared to placebo.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
1000 mg orally for two days prior to hysterosalpingography
Evening Primrose→Reduced Pain During Contrast Medium Injection
There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of pain during insertion of speculum and injection of the contrast medium (p <0.05). Less pain was reported in the evening primrose group compared to placebo.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
1000 mg orally for two days prior to hysterosalpingography

Adverse Events Reported

Evening Primrose→Overall tolerability
Given the fact that it is a medicinal plant with no complications
Finding
Reported