The Effects of Nutritional Juice Supplementation on the Extent of Climacteric Symptoms: An Observational Study.

Stefanie I Siebler,Ursula Gresser,Barbara M Richartz

doi:10.1155/2016/2636542

Abstract

Objective. This study aims to evaluate the effect of daily dietary nutritional supplement on somatic, psychological, and urogenital symptoms in postmenopausal women. Material and Methods. In this study 28 healthy, symptomatic, peri- and postmenopausal women of 47–67 years of age were allocated to use the nutritional supplement JuicePLUS+®. Primary research parameters: Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess menopausal symptoms at baseline and after 8 and 16 weeks of treatment. Secondary parameters: proliferation behaviour of vaginal smear was scored at baseline and after treatment. Results. Treatment with the supplement resulted in a reduction of somatic, psychological, and urogenital symptoms. The overall MRS score showed an average improvement of 44.01%. Most benefits were observed for the psychological symptoms irritability (60.55%) and physical and mental exhaustion (49.08%); modest effects were observed for hot flashes (44.86%) and sleeping problems (35.56%). There was a minor improvement in sexual problems; 6 women reported an increased libido. No statistically significant effect was found in vaginal dryness and proliferation behaviour of vaginal mucosa. No adverse effects were observed. Conclusion. Dietary nutritional supplement may constitute an effective alternative therapy to conventional alternative medicine for somatic, psychological, and sexual symptoms.

Highlights

Midlife and older women are often affected with climacteric symptoms like hot flashes, sleeping disturbance, psychological symptoms, and vaginal dryness
Twenty-eight women of 47–67 years of age were recruited from the medical office of gynecology situated in the center of Nuremberg to participate in an open, 16-week trial without control, designed to examine the effects of dietary supplementation of plant substances on menopausal symptoms
Inclusion criteria were as follows: women were eligible for the study if they were in menopausal transition or postmenopausal, in generally good health, reporting climacteric symptoms according to the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), and currently not using any type of systemic hormone therapy or hormonal contraceptives

Summary

Introduction

Midlife and older women are often affected with climacteric symptoms like hot flashes, sleeping disturbance, psychological symptoms, and vaginal dryness. The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) from 2013 shows that the median age at the final menstrual period was 52,5 years without any difference in ethnic groups. Socioeconomic factors such as higher educational level and being employed, prior oral contraceptive use, and a better health-conscious behaviour with less alcohol and nonsmoking were associated with later age at menopause [3]. Women who cannot take hormones because of breast cancer or other risks or women who want to prevent risks of a hormone therapy search for alternative medicine for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Cimicifuga provides evidence for the efficacy in treatment of climacteric symptoms [10]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion