Neem oil is a plant oil used traditionally for its effects as an antiviral, antiarthritic, anti-hyperglycaemic, and anti-inflammatory, and it is also used on skin conditions. Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extracts are currently being studied as a reversible contraceptive and for use in vaginal infections.
Human studies on neem vaginal pessaries
Neem oil vaginally for infections
A study examining the use of neem oil for contraception in human women with abnormal vaginal discharge found two capsules of neem seed oil (500mg) administered vaginally for 15 days improved the discharge and cervical abnormalities significantly (93% and 88%, respectively)1. Microbiological cure was 100% for pathogens. The study reports that 98% of the women being studied were cured.
We don’t know how long this cure lasted, but the symptoms and discharge were improved at the end of treatment when the study participants underwent assessment. The neem seed oil capsules were observed to have minimal to no side effects and were acceptable to all participants.
The neem capsules successfully treated bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infections), chlamydia and trich.
Neem oil vaginally as a contraceptive2
A study involving 238 women in India applied neem oil intravaginally five minutes before intercourse. Only nine participants became pregnant over 12 to 36 menstrual cycles, suggesting an effective rate of approximately 96.2% in preventing pregnancy.
Furthermore, study participants experienced fewer incidences of abnormal vaginal discharge, urinary tract infections, and other common sexually transmitted diseases during the treatment period.
Neem oil administered 2-7 days after a sexual encounter, possibly resulting in conception, may have an anti-implantation effect and prevent pregnancy.
Side effects of neem vaginal treatments
Research3 evaluated the safety of intravaginal neem oil application in women. Endometrial biopsies were normal, and there was no effect on menstrual or ovulatory cycles. However, some women reported transient genital itching or burning sensations.
Neem oil doesn’t smell very good, so while effective, neem oil applied vaginally may be offputting due to the odour. Neem has a pungent garlic/onion/sulfur-like, nutty, musty odour.
Neem oil as a fertility blocker – what animal studies tell us
Neem oil has been studied in animal models as a form of reversible birth control through its impacts on sperm and egg implantation. Just 3mg of neem leaf extract immobilises and kills 100% of spermatozoa within 20-30 seconds4–6.
Neem oil was studied as a pre and post-sex contraceptive and, in animal experiments, has been very successful in preventing pregnancy.
A study4 used neem extract directly implanted into the uterine horns, significantly impacting developing mouse embryos. Neem oil had an impact on the embryos, resulting in many being resorbed.
A study found neem extract effective at killing sperm when implanted directly into the vas deferens, successfully preventing pregnancy in female rats for eight months7. The authors report no abnormalities of the treated rats’ reproductive tracts and postulate that this method of birth control removes the need for surgical vasectomy.
Rabbits showed no vaginal irritation8. Some research shows that a special formulation of neem oil (NIM-76, fractionated oil) was effective against Candida, Klebsiella species, Escherichia coli, and the polio virus9.
More research into neem oil vaginally is required to capitalise on this popular traditional botanical medicine.
References
- 1.Vikram B, Rawal N, Gupta S. An open-label pilot study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BC caps for women with abnormal vaginal discharge due to microbial infections: case series. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. Published online March 25, 2022:1276. doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20220918
- 2.Sharma SK, SaiRam M, Ilavazhagan G, Devendra K, Shivaji SS, Selvamurthy W. Mechanism of action of NIM-76: A novel vaginal contraceptive from neem oil. Contraception. Published online December 1996:373-378. doi:10.1016/s0010-7824(96)00204-1
- 3.Joshi SN, Dutta S, Kumar BK, et al. Expanded safety study of Praneem polyherbal vaginal tablet among HIV-uninfected women in Pune, India: a phase II clinical trial report. Sexually Transmitted Infections. Published online October 1, 2008:343-347. doi:10.1136/sti.2007.029207
- 4.Juneja SC, Williams RS, Farooq A, Chegini N. Contraception potential of neem oil: Effect on pregnancy success in the mouse. J Assist Reprod Genet. Published online August 1996:578-585. doi:10.1007/bf02066612
- 5.Antifertility effects of neem ( Azadirachta indica ) oil by single intrauterine administration:a novel method for contraception. Proc R Soc Lond B. Published online December 22, 1990:175-179. doi:10.1098/rspb.1990.0121
- 6.Singh N, Singh R, Singh S, et al. Development And Evaluation Of Novel Aqueous Neem Leaf Extract: A Potent Contraceptive Agent. Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results. 2023;(13):1-8. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/368755512_Development_And_Evaluation_Of_Novel_Aqueous_Neem_Leaf_Extract_A_Potent_Contraceptive_Agent
- 7.UPADHYAY SN, DHAWAN S, TALWAR GP. Antifertility Effects of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Oil in Male Rats by Single Intra‐Vas Administration: An Alternate Approach to Vasectomy. Journal of Andrology. Published online July 8, 1993:275-281. doi:10.1002/j.1939-4640.1993.tb03365.x
- 8.Riar SS, Devakumar C, Ilavazhagan G, et al. Volatile fraction of neem oil as a spermicide. Contraception. Published online October 1990:479-487. doi:10.1016/0010-7824(90)90054-y
- 9.SaiRam M, Ilavazhagan G, Sharma SK, et al. Anti-microbial activity of a new vaginal contraceptive NIM-76 from neem oil (Azadirachta indica). Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Published online August 2000:377-382. doi:10.1016/s0378-8741(99)00211-1
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