The effect of evening primrose oil on duration of postpartum blues among primiparous women: a double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Introduction: Since there are relationship between omega-3 and depressed mood in different studies, and Evening primrose oil is rich of omega, this study was performed with aim to evaluate the effect of evening primrose oil on duration of postpartum blues among primiparous women. Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2012-2013 on 132 primiparous women referred to health centers of Ahvaz. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 66 cases to receive a daily dose of 1 gr of evening primrose oil capsule (intervention group) or similar oral gelatin capsule (control group) from the beginning of the 37th weeks of pregnancy up to two weeks postpartum. The samples were assessed by Edinburg standard test on days 4, 10 and 14th postpartum. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 20), and statistical tests of independent t, Chi-square and repeated measures analysis tests. P Results: There was statistically significant difference between two groups regarding the duration of postpartum blues, so that the duration of postpartum blues in the intervention group was less than the placebo group (p=0.004). The mean of score Edinburgh test in the intervention group was significantly less compared to the control group on the 4th day (p = 0.0001), 10th day (p = 0.001) and 14th day postpartum (p = 0.08). Conclusion: The use of evening primrose oil is effective in reducing the duration of postpartum blues.

Keywords

• evening primrose oil
• postpartum
• primiparous
• women