The effect of olive oil on prevention of striae gravidarum: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Objectives: Striae gravidarum (SG) is one of the cutaneous physiological changes during pregnancy with a high prevalence. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of olive oil in prevention of SG.

Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting: Health care centers and three Hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

Participants: 100 nulliparous pregnant women.

Interventions: Fifty women were randomly allocated to each study group. The treatment group received 1 cc topical olive oil twice a day to apply on the abdominal skin in a gentle manner without massaging it until the delivery. Control group did not receive any cream or oil during the study.

Main outcome measures: Development of SG and its severity was recorded at the end of the study.

Results: Although the frequency of severe SG was lower in the users of olive oil compared to the other group, no statistically significant difference was found between the two experimental groups and the control group in the incidence and the severity of SG.

Conclusion: Olive oil reduces the incidence of severe SG and increases the incidence of mild SG, but it does not significantly reduce the incidence and the severity of SG and it could not be recommended for SG prevention.