Clinical Endocrinological Effects of a Menopausal Botanical Formula
TS Hudson, ND; Leanna Standish, ND, PhD, Cynthia Breed, ND; Rita Bettenburg, ND; C Dalen, Jody Noe, MS, ND; T. O'Donnell, ND; E Dibble, PhD
Objective: To study the effects of a botanical formulation
containing phytoestrogens on menopausal symptoms, serum gonadotropins,
and serum lipids.
Methods: 13 women with hot flashes, one other symptom of
menopause, no menses for 2 months, a follicle-simulating hormone (FSH)
greater than 40 mg/mL, and no conventional hormone replacement therapy
use within the last 3 months were admitted to the study. All women
underwent a physical examination, complete with PAP smear. Data was
collected through patient symptom diaries, physician symptom record and
blood tests. A double-blind randomized controlled trial was utilized and
six women received placebos and seven took 2 caps three times daily of
verum.
Results: Seventy-one percent (71%) of the women in the
treatment group reported fewer total symptoms vs. seventeen percent
(17%) in the placebo group. One hundred percent (100%) of the women in
the treatment group experienced a reduction in their symptom severity
vs. sixty-seven percent (67%) in the placebo group. No significant
changes occurred in serum gonadotropins or blood lipids.
Conclusion: Women with menopausal symptoms such as hot
flashes, modd changes, insomnia, and vaginal dryness can experience
improvement in the symptoms with the use of phytoestrogens while not
raising serum estrogen and progesterone levels.
