A Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial to Assess the Effect of Tamarind seed in Premature Ejaculation

This randomized clinical trial was aimed to evaluate the effect of oral use of tamarind seed powder as an herbal product in patients affected by premature ejaculation (PE).

In this study, 75 patients randomized in tamarind group (25 patients received daily 130 mg tamarind seed powder), paroxetine group (25 patients received daily 20 mg paroxetine), and placebo group (25 patients). Patients received the treatment regimen for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT). The secondary outcomes were PE diagnostic tool score, sexual function using International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and complications. Studied sexual functions include erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction.

The mean of IELT in tamarind, paroxetine, and placebo groups at baseline was 35.2 ± 26.5, 38 ± 27.6, and 44 ± 34.9 s and at the end of study was 49.5 ± 48.2, 147.4 ± 209.6, and 46.9 ± 37.6 s, respectively, which in paroxetine group signifi cantly increased compared to other groups. IIEF scores for orgasmic function and intercourse satisfaction for paroxetine after treatment signifi cantly increased than that of other groups. The differences between tamarind and placebo groups for studied variables were not statistically signifi cant. The mean of increases in IELT for tamarind, paroxetine, and placebo groups was 14.35 ± 34.3, 109.4 ± 213.4, and 2.9 ± 9.3 s, respectively, which in paroxetine group was signifi cantly higher than other groups and in tamarind group was signifi cantly higher than placebo.

Paroxetine was signifi cantly better than tamarind seed powder and placebo although side effect in paroxetine was more frequent. IELT signifi cantly more increased in tamarind group compared to placebo.