https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2021.4.475

Serenoa repens and its effects on male sexual function. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

Vol. 93 No. 4 (2021)
Submitted: November 30, 2021
Accepted: December 3, 2021
Published: December 21, 2021
Serenoa repens, Adverse effects, Nocebo effect, Male sexual health
Abstract Views: 2306
PDF: 1130
Supplementary File: 77
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Authors

Gianni Paulis
paulisg@libero.it
Department of Uro-Andrology, Castelfidardo Medical Team, Rome, Italy.
Andrea Paulis
Neurosystem Center for applied Psychology and Neuroscience, Janet Clinical Centre, Rome, Italy.
Gianpaolo Perletti
Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium; Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Section of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.

Background: Serenoa repens (SR) is a plant used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis. We know that SR act as a 5α-reductase inhibitor, moreover, several studies have proved that SR has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. There is some belief among patients that SR may negatively impact male sexual function. Such belief is circulating in non-medical social networks and is perhaps maintained by patients as a result of incorrect web surfing. However, it is also possible that SR may exert a “nocebo” effect thus negatively impacting on the general well-being of patients.
Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate whether SR is causing negative effects on male sexual function.
Methods: To ascertain the effect of SR on male sexual function, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, by performing an electronic database search in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines.
Results: Out of 20 included papers, 8 papers reported comparisons of SR with placebo, and 7 studies reported comparisons of SR with tamsulosin. The standardized mean difference of changes from baseline scores of sexual function was not significantly different between SR and placebo (SMD: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.18 to 1.05; I^2 = 95%). Similarly, no significant mean differences in the Male Sexual Function-4 (MSF-4) test scores were found between SR and tamsulosin (SMD: -0.31, 95% CI: -0.82 to 0.19; I^2 = 90%).
Conclusions: We found no statistically significant differences between negative effects on sexual function in patients treated with SR compared to patients who received placebo. The results of our meta-analysis are similar to those of other systematic reviews. Studies are warranted to ascertain whether any such effects might occur as a result of a nocebo effect.

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How to Cite

Paulis, G., Paulis, A., & Perletti, G. (2021). Serenoa repens and its effects on male sexual function. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Archivio Italiano Di Urologia E Andrologia, 93(4), 475–480. https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2021.4.475

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