1.
Effects of a phyto complex on well-being of climacteric women.
Quattrocchi, T, Micali, E, Gentile, A, La Ferrera, EG, Barbaro, L, Ciarcià, S, Corrado, F, Di Costa, M, Fazio, R, Licenziato, R, et al
The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research. 2015;(7):1093-8
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a phyto complex on menopausal symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 151 women aged 42-67 years were enrolled. They were in spontaneous or surgical menopause by at least 12 months, reporting symptoms referable to the climacteric syndrome. Two validated and standardized tests were given to the whole sample at the entrance of the study (T0) and after 6 months of treatment (T6): the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Interim evaluations were carried out at 1-3 months (T1 and T3) on five symptoms selected from the GCS. The phyto complex was given to each enrolled woman, from the T0 to T6 time-points, for a total of 180 days. RESULTS At the T0 time-point, the average scores were: GCS, 28.98 (standard deviation [SD] ± 10.71); BDI, 14.48 (SD ± 6.5). At the T1 time-point, five parameters of the GCS were assessed with a reduction of 36.25% in symptoms (5.69, SD ± 3.53). At the T6 time-point the assessment was completed: average GCS results were 11.54 (SD ± 8.01) with a 60.17% improvement; and average BDI results were 6.11 (SD ± 4.6) with a 58.91% improvement in the depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The phyto complex under consideration is an effective tool to counter, in a quick and long-lasting manner, the most common and nagging symptoms of the climacteric syndrome, such as hot flushes, insomnia and depression.
2.
A natural S-equol supplement alleviates hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms in equol nonproducing postmenopausal Japanese women.
Aso, T, Uchiyama, S, Matsumura, Y, Taguchi, M, Nozaki, M, Takamatsu, K, Ishizuka, B, Kubota, T, Mizunuma, H, Ohta, H
Journal of women's health (2002). 2012;(1):92-100
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this clinical trial was to examine the efficacy of a supplement containing natural S-(-)equol, a daidzein metabolite, in reducing menopausal symptoms. METHODS In this multicenter, double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 160 equol nonproducing, postmenopausal Japanese women who experienced at least 1 hot flush/day were randomly assigned to consume 10 mg/day S-(-)equol (n=77 women) or placebo (n=83 women) for 12 weeks. Participants completed a standardized menopausal symptom checklist and rated five common menopause symptoms by a visual analog scale at baseline, week 12, and week 18 (6-week postintervention). Physical, blood, and urine examinations were conducted. One hundred twenty-six women completed the study. RESULTS At baseline, daily hot flush frequency was 2.9±2.1 for the S-(-)equol group and 3.2±2.4 for the placebo group. After the 12-week intervention, the S-(-)equol group had a greater decrease from baseline in hot flush frequency compared with the placebo group (-1.9±1.8/day, -58.7%, vs. -1.0±2.0/day, -34.5%, p=0.009). The severity of hot flushes and neck or shoulder muscle stiffness significantly decreased in the S-(-)equol group compared with the placebo group. No changes in clinical parameters or serious adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS This is the first trial to show beneficial effects of a 10-mg natural S-(-)equol supplement consumed daily for 12 weeks on major menopausal symptoms, specifically, hot flushes and neck or shoulder muscle stiffness, in postmenopausal Japanese women. This supplement offers a promising alternative for management of menopausal symptoms.
3.
Soy extract phytoestrogens with high dose of isoflavones for menopausal symptoms.
Ferrari, A
The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research. 2009;(6):1083-90
Abstract
AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a standardized compound based on an extract of soy phytoestrogens, with high doses of isoflavones in the management of menopausal hot flushes. METHODS A total of 180 women aged 40-65 years with a minimum of five moderate-to-severe hot flushes in the last 7 days at baseline and absence of menstruation for at least 6 months participated in a 12-week prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial. After a 2-week run-in period, women received one tablet a day of 80 mg isoflavones (corresponding to 60 mg of genistein) or a matching placebo. RESULTS The mean daily number of moderate-to-severe hot flushes decreased in both study groups, but the reduction was greater in the isoflavones arm at 6 (36.2%) and 12 weeks (41.2%) than in the placebo arm (24.0% at 6 weeks, 29.3% at 12 weeks), with a difference of 1.1 (95% CI [-2.0 to -0.06]) (P = 0.038) at 6 weeks and 1.1 (95% CI [-2.05 to -0.15]) (P = 0.023) at 12 weeks. Similar findings were obtained for hot flushes of any intensity. The Kupperman index decreased in both study groups. Relief of hot flushes was greater when time to menopause was >or=12 months and in cases of BMI >or=27 kg/m(2). CONCLUSION In daily practice conditions, high doses of isoflavones, particularly genistein, can be used for the management of hot flushes in postmenopausal women not treated with hormone replacement therapy due to their superior efficacy to placebo and very good safety profile.
4.
High dose of phytoestrogens can reverse the antiestrogenic effects of clomiphene citrate on the endometrium in patients undergoing intrauterine insemination: a randomized trial.
Unfer, V, Casini, ML, Costabile, L, Mignosa, M, Gerli, S, Di Renzo, GC
Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation. 2004;(5):323-8
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness of clomiphene citrate (CC) alone or combined with phytoestrogens (PE) in ovulation induction in patients who had intrauterine insemination in a randomized, double-blind study. METHODS A total of 134 women aged 25-35 years, who were infertile for at least 2 years and who had oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea associated with a positive menstrual response to the intramuscular progesterone-challenge test were enrolled. They were randomly treated with CC (100 mg daily for 5 days) and CC (100 mg daily for 5 days) in combination with PE (1500 mg daily for 10 days). We estimated the difference in uterine artery pulsatily index, number of preovulatory follicles, endometrial thickness, and pregnancy rate. RESULTS Both treatments increased follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and 17beta-estradiol plasma concentrations, but the differences were not statistically significant. However, the differences in endometrial thickness of the two groups were statistically significant. No significant differences in the pulsatility index values and in the number of preovulatory follicles were noted. CONCLUSION A high dose of phytoestrogens can reverse the deleterious effects of clomiphene citrate on endometrial thickness and could contribute to higher pregnancy rates.