Does dong quai have estrogenic effects in postmenopausal women? A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
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.
Hirata
J D
JD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Oakland, California, USA.
Swiersz
L M
LM
Zell
B
B
Small
R
R
Ettinger
B
B
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
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D004970:Estrone; D004958:Estradiol; C044613:angelicae sinensis extract