Comparing the effects of selenium-enriched yeast and sodium selenite supplementation on postpartum depression and sexual satisfaction: A triple-blind controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Abstract Background Postpartum or postnatal depression is the most prevalent postpartum complication that considerably reduces sexual function in marital life, which may result in visible developmental delay, social and interactive problems in infants, and marital stress leading to divorce. The present study aimed to examine the effect of organic selenium (Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast enriched with sodium selenite) and sodium selenite on postpartum depression and sexual satisfaction. Methods This clinical trial study was conducted on 108 women after childbirth. Participants were randomly assigned into two interventions (organic and inorganic selenium) and one placebo group with an allocation ratio of 1:1:1. Participants were given one identical 250mg oral capsule containing 200 micrograms of organic selenium or 200 micrograms of sodium selenite or placebo per day from October 2021 to July 2022 (admission time). The participants filled out Beck's depression inventory and sexual satisfaction questionnaire before and after the intervention. The mean score of postpartum depression and sexual satisfaction was measured before and after the study. Results All three groups were identical in terms of personal-social profiles. Depression score was significantly reduced in the intervention groups of organic selenium [adjusted mean difference=-2.77: (95% confidence interval:-0.97 to -4.57); P = 0.003] and organic selenium [adjusted mean difference=-1.77 (95% confidence interval: -0.00 to -3.53); P = 0.049] compared to control group by adjusting the baseline values. No significant difference was observed in the sexual satisfaction of intervention groups compared to the placebo at the end of intervention (P = 0.196). Conclusion Both organic and inorganic selenium could improve postpartum depression; however, the decline rate was greater by the yeast selenium. Sexual satisfaction had no significant change following supplementation. Trial registration: This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20110606006709N23). URL: https://www.irct.ir/trial/56771.