Aromatherapy in gynecology and obstetrics: a systematic review of clinical applications

ABSTRACT

Objectives. Aromatherapy, a practice based on the use of essential oils, is increasingly employed in gynecology and obstetrics as a complementary therapy to relieve pain and anxiety, especially during labor and childbirth but also in many other gynecological conditions. The aim of this review is to provide a general overview of the clinical applications of aromatherapy, across obstetrics, gynecology, and other medical fields in a cross-disciplinary manner.

Materials and methods. The studies included evaluate the effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing pain and/or anxiety during labor and childbirth or in patients affected by gynecological cancer, in minimizing menopause symptoms or its use in other fields of medicine. Studies were excluded if they were irrelevant, methodologically weak, or based on non-representative samples. Randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published up to 2024 were included.

Results. According to the analyzed studies, aromatherapy can significantly reduce pain and anxiety during labor, improve the childbirth experience, and contribute to woman’s overall psychophysical well-being. Among the 33 studies included, 84% reported significant reductions in labor pain, and 76% showed reduced anxiety levels with aromatherapy interventions, particularly with lavender and peppermint oils.

Conclusions. Aromatherapy appears to be a safe, low-cost adjunct to conventional care and may be especially valuable in settings with limited access to pharmacologic pain relief, underscoring its potential contribution to global maternal health strategies. To establish reproducibility and long-term sustainability, large-scale multicenter randomized controlled trials utilizing standardized essential oil formulations and validated outcome measures are essential.