Effect of a combination of isoflavones and Actaea racemosa Linnaeus on climacteric symptoms in healthy symptomatic perimenopausal women: a 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.
Verhoeven MO1, van der Mooren MJ, van de Weijer PH, Verdegem PJ, van der Burgt LM, Kenemans P; CuraTrial Research Group.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effects of a novel dietary supplement containing soy isoflavones and Actaea racemosa Linnaeus (formerly called Cimicifuga racemosa L.) on climacteric symptoms in healthy perimenopausal women.
DESIGN:
In a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, 124 women experiencing at least five vasomotor symptoms every 24 hours were randomized to receive daily either a phytoestrogen-containing supplement (n = 60) or placebo (n = 64) for 12 weeks. The modified Kupperman Index and Greene Climacteric Scale, a visual analogue scale designed to measure quality of life and the daily number and severity of hot flushes, was used in the screening period and in weeks 6 and 12. Changes in these scores from baseline were calculated.
RESULTS:
At weeks 6 and 12, all scores in both groups had improved compared with baseline, though the overall difference in scores between the groups was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION:
The supplement containing soy isoflavones and A racemosa L. had no statistically significant effect on climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal women experiencing at least five vasomotor symptoms per day.
PMID: 16037756 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]