[Treatment of neurovegetative menopausal symptoms with a phytotherapeutic agent].
BACKGROUND
Menopausal symptoms include hot flushes, insomnia, nocturnal sweating, dizziness, headaches and palpitations. These symptoms reflect adaptation of the body to estrogen deprivation which affects various central neurotransmitters.


METHODS
In this study, the efficacy has been tested of a plant product based on extracts of the leaves of Salvia officinalis (sage) and Medicago sativa (alfalfa) in the treatment of hot flushes in 30 menopausal women with these symptoms.


RESULTS
Hot flushes and night sweating completely disappeared in 20 women: four women showed good improvement and the other six showed a reduction in symptoms. GnRH and TRH tests were performed in 8 women to evaluate TSH and Prl responses before and after 3 months of therapy. The plants product induced a significant increase in Prl and TSH response to TRH. Basal levels of estradiol, LH, FSH, Prl and TSH were unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
The product seams to have a central slight antidopaminergic action without side effects and is an effective agent in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
Istituto di Ginecologia e Ostetricia, Università degli Studi-Siena.
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De Leo
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Lanzetta
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Cazzavacca
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Morgante
D004244:Dizziness / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome