title: Effects of a phyto complex on well-being of climacteric women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a phyto complex on menopausal symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 151 women aged 42-67 years were enrolled. They were in spontaneous or surgical menopause by at least 12 months, reporting symptoms referable to the climacteric syndrome. Two validated and standardized tests were given to the whole sample at the entrance of the study (T0) and after 6 months of treatment (T6): the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Interim evaluations were carried out at 1-3 months (T1 and T3) on five symptoms selected from the GCS. The phyto complex was given to each enrolled woman, from the T0 to T6 time-points, for a total of 180 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the T0 time-point, the average scores were: GCS, 28.98 (standard deviation [SD] ± 10.71); BDI, 14.48 (SD ± 6.5). At the T1 time-point, five parameters of the GCS were assessed with a reduction of 36.25% in symptoms (5.69, SD ± 3.53). At the T6 time-point the assessment was completed: average GCS results were 11.54 (SD ± 8.01) with a 60.17% improvement; and average BDI results were 6.11 (SD ± 4.6) with a 58.91% improvement in the depressive symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The phyto complex under consideration is an effective tool to counter, in a quick and long-lasting manner, the most common and nagging symptoms of the climacteric syndrome, such as hot flushes, insomnia and depression.
authors: Department of Paediatric, Gynaecological, Microbiological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors: Tomasella
authors: T
authors: Quattrocchi
authors: Prevention and Protection, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors: Elvira
authors: E
authors: Micali
authors: Family Planning Clinic, Terme Vigliatore, Italy.
authors: Antonino
authors: A
authors: Gentile
authors: Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit Hospital 'Umberto I', Enna, Italy.
authors: Ettore Giuseppe
authors: EG
authors: La Ferrera
authors: Family Planning Clinics, Messina, Italy.
authors: Luisa
authors: L
authors: Barbaro
authors: Family Planning Clinic, Enna, Italy.
authors: Stella
authors: S
authors: Ciarcià
authors: Department of Paediatric, Gynaecological, Microbiological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Corrado
authors: Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, C. Basilotta Hospital, Enna, Italy.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Di Costa
authors: Obstetrics and Gynaecology Operating Unit Barcellona P.G. - Via Salvatore Cattafi, Messina, Italy.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Fazio
authors: Family Planning Clinic, Piazza Armerina, Italy.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Licenziato
authors: Family Planning Clinic, Messina, Italy.
authors: Annamaria
authors: A
authors: Marcazzò
authors: Self-employed Professional, Terme Vigliatore, Italy.
authors: Rosaria
authors: R
authors: Minniti
authors: Family Planning Clinic, Caltanissetta, Italy.
authors: Rosaria
authors: R
authors: Riccobene
authors: Family Planning Clinic, Caltanissetta, Italy.
authors: Carmela Maria
authors: CM
authors: Russello
authors: Department of Paediatric, Gynaecological, Microbiological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Cancellieri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D019833:Genistein / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005942:Gluconates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017698:Postmenopause; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012802:Sicily; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D005942:Gluconates; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D028321:Plant Preparations; C000612240:fitoestril; D014810:Vitamin E; D002762:Cholecalciferol; D019833:Genistein
keywords: depression; genistein; menopause; phyto complex; sleeplessness