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.

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