A randomized placebo-controlled trial on the effectiveness of an herbal formula to alleviate menopausal vasomotor symptoms

Abstract

This herbal formula containing Chinese herbs and Cimicifuga cannot be recommended to alleviate menopausal vasomotor symptoms or improve quality of life.

Chinese medicine treatment for menopausal symptoms in the UK health service: Is a clinical trial warranted?

“…Robust evidence for both the effectiveness of Chinese medicine in treating menopausal symptoms, and its effectiveness in a Western context is currently lacking. Of six RCTs using Chinese herbal medicine [24][25][26][27][28][29][30] three found a significant difference in effectiveness compared to placebo [24,29,30]. Similarly the evidence for acupuncture's effectiveness in relieving menopausal hot flushes is not conclusive to date [31].…”

Dietary Supplements in Older Adults

“…Moreover, an NIH-sponsored RCT in 89 healthy pre-and postmenopausal women did not show that supplementation with black cohosh (128 mg/day standardized to 7.27 mg triterpene glycosides) or red clover (398 mg/day standardized to 120 mg isofl avones) for 12 months reduced the number of vasomotor symptoms compared to placebos [ 189 ]. Another RCT conducted in 92 healthy women aged 45-65 years who reported at least six vasomotor symptoms per 24 h in Australia also failed to show that taking a formula containing Chinese herbs and black cohosh (350 mg/day) for 16 weeks reduced vasomotor symptoms [ 192 ]. A Cochrane review included 16 RCTs that compared orally administered preparations of black cohosh (either Cimicifuga racemosa or Actaea racemosa, median dose 40 mg/day for 23 weeks, on average) or placebo for treating menopausal symptoms in 2,027 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women [ 193 ].…”

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a Chinese herbal medicine preparation (Jiawei Qing’e Fang) for hot flashes and quality of life in perimenopausal women

“…Our results indicated a placebo effect of approximately 55% in the reduction of hot flash score, which was even greater than that usually seen in postmenopausal Chinese women. 10 Hot flashes are the most common symptom related to the menopausal transition. In women who need relief for mild vasomotor symptoms, The North American Menopause Society 2,26 recommends, first, considering lifestyle changes, either alone or combined with a nonprescription remedy.…”