Cimicifuga racemosa isopropanolic extract for menopausal symptoms: an observational prospective case–control study

Abstract Objective We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of isopropanolic extract of Cimicifuga Racemosa (iCR) on reducing menopausal symptoms. Materials and Methods A single-center observational prospective case–control study was performed to assess the improvement of menopausal symptoms in menopausal women undergone iCR administration (cases) or no treatment (controls). Menopausal symptoms were assessed through a modified version of the Menopause Rating Scale questionnaire (mMRS) at T0 (baseline), T1 (1-month follow-up), and T2 (3 months follow-up). Univariate comparisons between cases and controls were performed by using the unpaired T test for two-tailed P value with α = 0.05 significance level. Results A total of 163 women (83 cases and 80 controls) were enrolled in the study. The difference in menopausal symptoms between cases and controls from T0 to T2, and from T0 to T1, was found significant for all analyses. In particular, the difference in all menopausal symptoms was 20.56 ± 0.90 points (95%CI: 18.77–22.33, p < .001) from T0 to T2, and 10.69 ± 0.6 (95%CI: 9.49–11.88, p < .001) from T0 to T1. Conclusion iCR may be effective in reducing menopausal symptoms, both after 1 month and after 3 months of treatment. The improvement was higher in vasomotor symptoms, sleep problems, and irritability.

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