Abstract
Objective. Effect of isopropanolic Cimicifuga racemosa extract (iCR) on uterine fibroid size compared with tibolone. Method. The randomized, double-blind, controlled study in China enrolled 244 patients aged 40–60 years with menopausal symptoms (Kupperman Menopause Index ≥ 15). The participants were treated with either iCR of 40 mg crude drug/day (N = 122) or tibolone 2.5 mg/day (N = 122) orally for 3 months in 2004. Now, we investigated the subset of all women (N = 62) with at least one uterine fibroid at onset of treatment for the effect of iCR (N = 34) on fibroid size compared with tibolone (N = 28) by transvaginal ultrasonography. Results. The median myoma volume decreased upon iCR by as much as −30% (P = 0.016) but increased upon tibolone by +4.7%. The percentage of volume change, mean diameter change and geometric mean diameter change of the iCR group compared to tibolone were statistically significant (P = 0.016, 0.021, 0.016 respectively). Conclusion. Our results suggest that iCR (Remifemin) is a valid herbal medicinal product in patients with uterine myomas as it provides adequate relief from menopausal symptoms and inhibits growth of the myomas in contrast to tibolone.
Highlights
Most women in menopausal transition have symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweat, and associated sleep impairments
We investigated the subset of all women (N = 62) with at least one uterine fibroid at onset of treatment for the effect of isopropanolic Cimicifuga racemosa extract (iCR) (N = 34) on fibroid size compared with tibolone (N = 28) by transvaginal ultrasonography
Our results suggest that iCR (Remifemin) is a valid herbal medicinal product in patients with uterine myomas as it provides adequate relief from menopausal symptoms and inhibits growth of the myomas in contrast to tibolone
Summary
Most women in menopausal transition have symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweat, and associated sleep impairments. Menopausal symptoms are closely related to estrogen deficiency so that estrogen is an effective way to relieve menopausal symptoms. The treatment of menopausal symptoms in women with uterine fibroids is still debated controversially since previous studies suggested that estrogens play a role in the growth of uterine fibroids [1]. Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors in females which could be found in 77% of hysterectomy specimens [2] and there is some hesitation to use hormones in these patients. There is a demand for safe and effective treatments of menopausal complaints for the large numbers of women with myomas.
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