Comparing the effects of Calendula officinalis and clotrimazole on vaginal Candidiasis: A randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT

This triple-blind trial examined the effects of Calendula officinalis vaginal cream on the treatment of vaginal Candidiasis (primary outcome) and sexual function (secondary outcome). Married women aged 18–45 years with vaginal Candidiasis (n = 150) were recruited from April to October 2014 and randomized into Calendula and clotrimazole groups, using 5-g vaginal cream every night for seven nights. Clinical and laboratory assessments were conducted at 10–15 and 30–35 days after intervention and the female sexual function index was assessed at 30–35 days. Six women were lost to follow-up. The frequency of testing negative for Candidiasis in the Calendula group was significantly lower at the first (49% vs. 74%; odds ratio (OR) 0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16–0.67) but higher at the second (77% vs. 34%; OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.5–6.2) follow-up compared to the clotrimazole group. The frequency of most signs and symptoms were almost equal in the two groups at the first follow-up, but were significantly lower in the Calendula group at the second follow-up. Sexual function had almost equal significant improvement in both groups. Calendula vaginal cream appears to have been effective in the treatment of vaginal Candidiasis and to have a delayed but greater long-term effect compared to clotrimazole.

KEYWORDS:

• Calendula officinalis
• clotrimazole
• sexual function
• vaginal Candidiasis

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to personnel of the mycology laboratory of the university and Taleghani Hospital for their cooperation. The authors send their deep appreciation to all women who patiently participated in this trial.

Funding

This article has been extracted from the MSc thesis in midwifery. Its research project was approved ethically by the ethics committee (code: 92184) and was funded by the research deputy of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and registered at the Iranian registry of clinical trials (IRCT201309253706N20) before starting participant recruitment.

Additional information

Funding

This article has been extracted from the MSc thesis in midwifery. Its research project was approved ethically by the ethics committee (code: 92184) and was funded by the research deputy of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and registered at the Iranian registry of clinical trials (IRCT201309253706N20) before starting participant recruitment.