The effect of olive oil on prevention of striae gravidarum: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Soltanipoor F
Published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Methodology
Randomised controlled clinical trial comparing twice-daily topical olive oil application from 18 weeks gestation with no treatment, assessing striae incidence and severity after delivery.
Key Findings
In 100 pregnant women randomised to twice-daily topical olive oil or no treatment from week 18 to delivery, there was no significant difference in the incidence or severity of striae gravidarum between groups.
Conclusions
Topical olive oil does not prevent stretch marks in pregnancy, consistent with Cochrane findings that no topical preparation reliably works.
Limitations
Modest sample, no placebo cream so participants were unblinded, single-centre Iranian population, adherence to twice-daily application self-reported, and stretch mark assessment subject to observer variability.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
University research funding (Iran)
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