Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Hot flushes and night sweats experienced by 60–70% of postmenopausal women are considered as classical signs of menopause. Estrogens is the gold standard treatment, but in view of its potential risks, various herbal preparations and vitamin supplements have a great appeal to women. Aim of this study was to assess the effect of a nutritional supplement (Menopace®) on the frequency and severity of hot flushes and the quality of life in postmenopausal women in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study over three months.

Subjects and methods: Ninety-one post-menopausal women aged 53.73 (±0.74) years (range 41–71 years) were randomized to receive either placebo (n=45) or Menopace® (n=46). Sixty-eight women completed diaries (35 from Menopace® group and 33 from placebo) and came for a second assessment after 14 weeks. During the study, women also completed self-report questionnaires on the frequency and severity of hot flushes and night sweats, the Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaire, the World Health Organisation Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF-UK version), the National Adult Reading Test and the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test.

Results: There was a significant decrease (P<0.01) in the number of hot flushes experienced per week in both the Menopace® (pre 31.3±4.7; post 23.1±4.8) and the placebo group (pre 28.1±4.7; post 17.3±4.0), and also a significant decrease (P<0.001) in the number of night sweats experienced per week in both the Menopace® (pre 6.1±1.0, post 4.2±0.7) and the placebo group (pre 5.9±0.7, post 3.7±0.7).

Discussion: Our study showed a significant placebo effect on hot flushes and night sweats which is consistent with other studies. There was a significant decrease in the number of hot flushes and night sweats in both the Menopace® and the placebo group. The level of education appeared as the main determining factor of the way that women cope with hot flushes.