Comparison of Vitex agnus-castus Extracts with Placebo in Reducing Menopausal Symptoms: A Randomized Double-Blind Study
- Author:
Rozita NASERI
1
;
Vahid FARNIA
;
Katayoun YAZDCHI
;
Mostafa ALIKHANI
;
Behrad BASANJ
;
Safora SALEMI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Clinical Trial
- Keywords: Vitex agnus-castus Extract; Placebo Effect; Menopause; Women
- MeSH: Anxiety Disorders; Depression; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Menopause; Phytoestrogens; Placebo Effect; Quality of Life; Vitex
- From:Korean Journal of Family Medicine 2019;40(6):362-367
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: Menopausal symptoms have remarkable negative effects on women's quality of life, justifying the need to assess various therapeutic options. This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of Vitex agnus-castus extracts in alleviating menopausal symptoms in comparison with that of placebo. METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial with a study group of 52 women referred to a clinic in Kermanshah in 2017. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: Vitex group (26 subjects) and placebo group (26 subjects). Menopausal symptoms were assessed using the Greene Scale before and 8 weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: After the intervention, the mean scores for total menopausal disorder, anxiety, and vasomotor dysfunction were significantly lower in the Vitex group than in the placebo group (P<0.05). The mean scores of the variables of somatic complications, depression, and sexual dysfunction did not show significant differences between the Vitex and placebo groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Administration of Vitex agnus-castus extracts as a phytoestrogenic medicine can alleviate menopausal symptoms in women.
