The Effect of Evening Primrose Oil on the Intensity of Postpartum Blues Among Primiparous Females: A Double-blind, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: The most vulnerable time to develop mood disorders such as sadness, depression, and psychosis is the postpartum period. Postpartum blues is the most common mood disorder and can endanger the relationships between mother, child, and family, and in case of lack of appropriate treatment can cause irreparable damages. Objectives: The current study aimed at investigating the effect of evening primrose oil on the intensity of postpartum blues among primiparous females. Methods: The current double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted from December 2012 to November 2013 on 132 primigravida females referred to health centers of Ahvaz, Iran. They were randomly divided into two groups of 66 to receive a daily dose of 1 g of evening primrose oil capsules (intervention group) or similar placebo capsules (control group) from the beginning of the 37 weeks of pregnancy up to 2-weeks postpartum. Females in both groups were asked to complete the Edinburg questionnaire on the days 4,10, and 14 postpartum. Data were analyzed using the t-test, Chi-square test, and repeated measures, and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was a statistically significant difference (P= 0.0 001) between the two groups regarding the severity of the postpartum blues (the severity in the intervention group was less than that of the placebo group, P = 0.0001). The score of Edinburgh questionnaire was significantly less in the intervention group compared with that of the control group on the days 4,10 (P = 0.0001), and 14 of postpartum (P = 0.01) (P = 0.014). The averages of Edinburgh score in the intervention group was significantly less compared with those of the control group on the days 4 (10.5 +/- 0.57 vs. 13.3 +/- 3.28; P = 0.0001), 10 (11.2 +/- 1.22 vs. 14.9 +/- 3.6; P = 0.001), and 14 postpartum (11.7 +/- 1.3 vs. 13.05 +/- 2.6; P = 0.08). Conclusions: The use of evening primrose oil effectively reduced the severity of postpartum blues.