title: Does dong quai have estrogenic effects in postmenopausal women? A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate possible estrogenic effects of dong quai on vaginal cells and on endometrial thickness in postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in a large health maintenance organization (HMO).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-one postmenopausal women (mean age [+/- SD], 52.4 +/- 6 years) who had follicle-stimulating hormone levels (third-generation assay) of > 30 mIU/mL with hot flashes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were randomized to treatment with either dong quai or placebo for 24 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endometrial thickness was measured by transvaginal ultrasonography; vaginal cells were evaluated for cellular maturation; menopausal symptoms were evaluated by reviewing the Kupperman index and the diary of vasomotor flushes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed no statistically significant differences between groups in endometrial thickness, in vaginal maturation index, in number of vasomotor flushes, or in the Kupperman index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Used alone, dong quai does not produce estrogen-like responses in endometrial thickness or in vaginal maturation and was no more helpful than placebo in relieving menopausal symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Oakland, California, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Swiersz
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zell
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Small
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ettinger
mesh_terms: D029971:Angelica sinensis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014621:Vagina / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D004970:Estrone; D004958:Estradiol; C044613:angelicae sinensis extract