Rosa Damascena Oil improved methadone-induced sexual dysfunction and happiness in female patients with opium use disorder under methadone maintenance therapy – results from a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial

 

Background:

Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) is provided to patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). However, methadone impacts negatively on sexual function. In the present study, we tested the possible influence of RDO on sexual function and sex hormones of female patients with OUD undergoing MMT and with MISD.

Methods:

Fifty female patients (mean age: 38.8 years) diagnosed with OUD, undergoing MMT and with MISD were randomly assigned either to the RDO or the placebo condition. At baseline, patients completed questionnaires covering socio-demographic and OUD-related information. At baseline, and four and eight weeks later they additionally completed questionnaires on sexual function and happiness. Blood samples to assess thyroid hormones, prolactin, progesterone, and estradiol levels were taken at baseline and eight weeks later (end of the study).

Results:

Over time sexual function and happiness increased, but more so in the RDO condition than in the placebo condition. Over time, prolactin decreased, and progesterone, and estradiol increased, but again more so in the RDO condition. Sex hormone levels and sexual function were statistically unrelated.

Conclusions:

Results from this double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trial showed that females with OUD undergoing MMT and with MIDS seemed to benefit from RDO administration, as sexual function and happiness increased, and female sexual hormone levels changed in positive directions.