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

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 T (baseline), T (1-month follow-up), and T (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 T to T, and from T to T, 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,  < .001) from T to T, and 10.69 ± 0.6 (95%CI: 9.49-11.88,  < .001) from T to T.

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.