Effects of olive oil on striae gravidarum in primiparous women: A randomized controlled clinical study

Abstract

Context: The development of striae gravidarum (SG), stretch marks, is one of the most common skin changes during pregnancy. The number of studies conducted on the reduction or prevention of SG, especially on the effects of olive oil, is limited. Objective: The study intended to evaluate the clinical efficacy of olive oil in reducing the severity and preventing the progression of SG when used from the third trimester of pregnancy to the child's birth. Design: The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. Setting: The data was collected at the private Medipol Nisa Hospital. The trial registry number is NCT04489901. Participants: Participants were 156 Turkish women having their first pregnancies and in their third trimester. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control group. Women in the intervention group applied olive oil to their abdomens twice a day, in the morning and evening. The control group used no intervention. Outcome Measures: The participants' striae levels were assessed using the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale and Davey's Severity Score. Results: A statistically significant difference existed between the intervention and the control groups in terms of incidence and type of striae gravidarum, with the intervention group having a 50% incidence and 85.9% type 2 striae compared to the control group's 69.2% incidence and 35.9% type 4 striae. According to Davey's Severity Score, the severity of striae was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group, with the scores being 2 and 4, respectively. Conclusions: Using olive oil was very effective in reducing the severity and preventing the progression of striae gravidarum.