Effect of Primrose Oil Versus Lavender Oil on Menopausal Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Menopausal vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats negatively impact quality of life. Objectives This study aimed to determine the effects of primrose oil versus lavender oil on menopausal symptoms. Methods A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 150 menopausal women aged 40–60, who had experienced amenorrhea for over 6 months, and had no herbal allergies or serious illnesses. The women were consecutively recruited and, using a sealed, opaque envelope method, randomly allocated to receive either primrose oil, lavender oil, or a placebo for 8 weeks. All women applied oil twice daily to specific body areas. Prior to, four weeks and eight weeks after the intervention, the women completed the Daily Hot Flashes/Night Sweats Diary, Hot-Flash/Night Sweats Problem Rating, and Hot Flashes Related Daily Interference Scale. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square, analysis of variance, and post hoc tests. The level of significance was set at ≤0.05 Results At baseline, the three groups did not significantly differ regarding the mean daily interference ( P  = .22), frequency of hot flashes/night sweats ( P  = .61), and hot flashes severity index ( P  = .84). The mean daily interference ( P  < .001), frequency of hot flashes/night sweats per week ( P  < .001), and hot flashes intensity index ( P  < .001) in women receiving primrose oil or lavender oil exhibited a significant decline at the end of the fourth and eighth weeks after the intervention. The decreases in the frequency and severity of hot flashes were notably greater in the lavender oil group ( P  = .001). Conclusion Primrose and lavender oils are both effective in reducing the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats, but the lavender oil was more effective in reducing the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats in postmenopausal women.