EPO has been used to improve cervical ripening/softness in preparation for childbirth. Current research does suggest that EPO (particularly when given vaginally) may improve Bishop scores — the gold standard assessment tool for predicting the success of labor induction — and may have comparable effects to the medication misoprostol.[1][2][3][4] Some research has reported reductions in labor time and the rate of cesarean section with EPO use, but these findings are less consistent.[3] Currently, there is no established dosing and large clinical trials are needed to properly assess the safety and efficacy of EPO in this context. Potential side effects that have been reported will be discussed in the following section.
What are evening primrose oil’s main benefits?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Evening primrose oil (EPO) may enhance cervical ripening and improve Bishop scores, which may potentially aid labor induction; some studies suggest that it may reduce labor time and cesarean rates. However, there is no established dosing, and further large clinical trials are necessary to evaluate its safety and efficacy.