Do aquatic exercise and fennel consumption affects sexual function in married women of reproductive age? Results from a cross-sectional study

Sexual dysfunction is common among women and takes a toll on quality of life. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of both aquatic exercise and fennel consumption on multiple domains of sexual function and estradiol level in women.

In this semi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design, 30 females aged 20–40 years were randomly assigned to three major groups of exercise-placebo, exercise-supplement, and control. Aquatic exercise was carried out at moderate intensity, three days per week for 8 weeks. The participants in the fennel group received oral soft capsules containing 100mg of fennel twice a day for 8 weeks and women in the placebo group received the same doze of placebo capsules containing 100mg of sunflower oil. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and blood samples were collected 48 h before and after the last sessions of exercise training. Estradiol was assessed using ELISA assay. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and SPSS Software v.21.

Total FSFI score (P= 0.01) as well as desire (P= 0.01), arousal (P= 0.03), satisfaction (P= 0.04), orgasm (P= 0.05) and lubrication (P = 0.04) in the exercise-placebo group improved significantly compared to the control group. Furthermore, sexual function (P=0.01) and estradiol level (P=0.02) were significantly improved in exercise-supplement group, compared to exercise-placebo group.

Combination of aquatic exercise with fennel consumption may increase estradiol level, and improve sexual function in women.