title: Effect of a combination of isoflavones and Actaea racemosa Linnaeus on climacteric symptoms in healthy symptomatic perimenopausal women: a 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of a novel dietary supplement containing soy isoflavones and Actaea racemosa Linnaeus (formerly called Cimicifuga racemosa L.) on climacteric symptoms in healthy perimenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, 124 women experiencing at least five vasomotor symptoms every 24 hours were randomized to receive daily either a phytoestrogen-containing supplement (n = 60) or placebo (n = 64) for 12 weeks. The modified Kupperman Index and Greene Climacteric Scale, a visual analogue scale designed to measure quality of life and the daily number and severity of hot flushes, was used in the screening period and in weeks 6 and 12. Changes in these scores from baseline were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At weeks 6 and 12, all scores in both groups had improved compared with baseline, though the overall difference in scores between the groups was not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The supplement containing soy isoflavones and A racemosa L. had no statistically significant effect on climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal women experiencing at least five vasomotor symptoms per day.
authors.affiliation: Project Ageing Women, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marieke O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Verhoeven
authors.forename: Marius J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: van der Mooren
authors.forename: Peter H M
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: van de Weijer
authors.forename: Peter J E
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Verdegem
authors.forename: Leontine M J
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: van der Burgt
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kenemans
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D031885:Cimicifuga; D002979:Climacteric; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D008875:Middle Aged; D031665:Oenothera biennis; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010938:Plant Oils; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D007529:Isoflavones; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils; C028498:evening primrose oil; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid