Impact of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) vaginal cream on vaginal signs and symptoms of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: A randomized double blind controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Vaginal atrophy is one of the most common menopausal complications affecting women's quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) vaginal cream on vaginal signs and symptoms of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 70 menopausal women, referring to health centers of Izeh city, located in the south west of Iran, from May to November 2017. The participants with vaginal atrophy were randomly assigned into two groups of 35. One of the groups received licorice 2% vaginal cream while the other was given placebo over a period of 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS software at the significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The results indicated that at the baseline, none of the subjects (0%) in either groups had a vaginal cells maturation Index within 65–100 in MVI category. However, after 8 weeks of therapy, it improved significantly to 82.9% in Licorice group and 11.4% in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Also, the vaginal mucus cells changed from the baseline cells to intermediate and superficial cells within and between the two groups after the treatment (p < 0.001). Finally, the pH level significantly decreased in licorice group over time (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Therapeutic use of licorice vaginal cream can improve the signs and symptoms of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. Accordingly, use of licorice as a natural vaginal cream in vaginal atrophy can be suggested.