Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Comparison of Pueraria mirifica 25 and 50 mg for menopausal symptoms

  • General Gynecology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To compare Pueraria mirifica 25 and 50 mg dosages to relieve menopausal symptoms.

Methods

A double-blind study was conducted on 52 hysterectomized women with menopausal symptoms who had an indication for hormone therapy. The women were randomly allocated into two groups receiving either Pueraria mirifica 25 mg tablet (Arm A; n = 26) or Pueraria mirifica 50 mg (Arm B; n = 26) for 6 months. Menopausal symptoms, physical examination findings, and laboratory data were recorded at baseline. Symptoms were reevaluated at 3 and 6 months, while physical and laboratory examinations were evaluated at 1 month and at the end of treatment. A modified Green climacteric scale was used to evaluate menopausal symptoms; a score of ≥15 indicated estrogen deficiency.

Results

All women completed the study. Mean baseline climacteric scores of women who received 25 and 50 mg were: 24.19 ± 9.11 versus 23.19 ± 7.89, respectively (p = 0.674). After 3 and 6 months of treatment, scores were 17.92 ± 10.40 versus 15.35 ± 8.44 (p = 0.332) and 14.08 ± 10.30 versus 12.46 ± 6.38 (p = 0.500), respectively. No significant side effects were observed with Pueraria mirifica 25 or 50 mg.

Conclusions

Both dosages of Pueraria mirifica were similarly effective and safe in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Shuster LT, Rhodes DJ, Gostout BS, Grossardt BR, Rocca WA (2010) Premature menopause or early menopause: long-term health consequences. Maturitas 65(2):161–166

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. North American Menopause Society (2007) Menopause practice: a clinician’s guide, 3rd ed. Cleveland, OH, North American Menopause Society, pp 9–18

  3. Santoro N (2008) Symptoms of menopause: hot Flushes. evidence-based approach to menopause. Clin Obstet Gynecol 51:539–548

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Knight DC, Eden JA (1996) A review of the clinical effects of phytoestrogens. Obstet Gynecol 87(5):897–904

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Dewicks PM (1995) Isoflavonoids. In: Harborne JB (ed) The flavonoid. Dhapman & Hall, London, pp 117–238

    Google Scholar 

  6. Lamlertkittikul S, Chandeying V (2004) Effectiveness and safety of Pueraria mirifica (Kwao Kruea Khao) for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms in perimenopausal women: phase II study. J Med Assoc Thai 87:33–40

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Sukavaj T (1949) Herbal medicine. Thai J Med Sci 3:104–110

    Google Scholar 

  8. Urasopon N, Hamada Y, Asaoka K, Cherdshewasart W, Malaivijitnond S (2007) Pueraria mirifica, a phytoestrogen-rich herb, prevents bone loss in orchidectomized rats. Maturitas 56:322–331

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Urasopon N, Hamada Y, Cherdshewasart W, Malaivijitnond S (2008) Preventive effects of Pueraria mirifica on bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Maturitas 59:137–148

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Cherdshewasart W, Traosup V, Picha P (2008) Determination of the estrogenic activity of wild phytoestrogen-rich Pueraria mirifica MCF-7 proliferation assay. J Reprod Dev 4:63–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Chandeying V, Lamlertkittikul S (2007) Challenges in the conduct of Thai herbal scientific study: effectiveness and safety of phytoestrogen, Pueraria mirifica (Kwao Kuer Kao), phase I, in the alleviation of climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal women. J Med Assoc Thai 90:1274–1280

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Chandeying V, Sangthawan M (2007) Effectiveness comparison of Pueraria mirifica (PM) against conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) with/without medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in the treatment of climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal women: phase III study. J Med Assoc Thai 90:1720–1726

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Speroff L, Fritz MA (2005) Clinical gynecologic endocrinology and infertility, 7th edn. Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, Lippincott, pp 689–777

    Google Scholar 

  14. Smitasiri Y, Junyatum U, Songjitsawad A, Sripromma P, Trisrisilp S, Anuntalabhochai S (1986) Postcoital antifertility effects of Pueraria mirifica in rats. J Sci Fac Chiang Mai Univ 13:19–28

    Google Scholar 

  15. MacLennan A (1996) Symptoms and signs of the climacteric. In: Wren BG, Nachtigall LE (eds) Clinical management of the menopause. McGraw-Hill, Roseville, pp 7–15

    Google Scholar 

  16. Manonai J, Chittacharoen A, Udomsubpayakul U, Theppisai H, Theppisai U (2008) Effects and safety of Pueraria mirifica on lipid profiles and biochemical markers of bone turnover rates in healthy postmenopausal women. Menopause 15:530–535

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Ettinger B (2005) Vasomotor symptom relief versus unwanted effects: role of estrogen dosage. Am J Med 118 (Suppl 12B):74–8

    Google Scholar 

  18. Coope J, Thomson JM, Poller L (1975) Effects of “natural oestrogen” replacement therapy on menopausal symptoms and blood clotting. Br Med J 4:139–143

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Klaiber EL, Broverman DM, Vogel W, Kobayashi Y (1979) Estrogen therapy for severe persistent depression women. Arch Gen Psychiatry 36(5):550–554

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Mundy GR (2007) Osteoporosis and inflammation. Nutr Rev 65(12 Pt 2): S147–S151

    Google Scholar 

  21. Wang KC, Lin YF, Qin CH, Chen TL, Chen CH (2010) Bisphenol-A interferes with estradiol-mediated protection in osteoarthritic chondrocytes. Toxicol Lett 5; 198(2):127–133

    Google Scholar 

  22. Maltais ML, Desroches J, Dionne IJ (2009) Changes in muscle mass and strength after menopause. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact 9(4):186–197

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Thomas TN, Rhodin JA, Clark L, Garces A, Bryant M (2003) A comparison of the anti-inflammatory activities of conjugated estrogens and 17-beta estradiol. Inflamm Res 52(11):452–460

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Dijsselbloem N, Vanden BW, De NA, Haegeman G (2004) Soy isoflavones phyto-pharmaceuticals in interleukin-6 affections. Multi-purpose nutraceuticals at the crossroad of hormone replacement, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory therapy. Biochem Pharmacol 15; 68(6):1171–1185

    Google Scholar 

  25. Felson DT, Nevitt MC (1998) The effects of estrogen on osteoarthritis. Curr Opin Rheumatol 10(3):269–272

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Sarrel PM (1990) Sexuality and menopause. Obstet Gynecol 75(4Suppl):26S–30S; discussion 31S–35S

    Google Scholar 

  27. Kicovic PM, Cortes-Prieto J, Milojevic S, Haspels AA, Aljinovic A (1980) The treatment of postmenopause vaginal atrophy with Ovestin vaginal cream or suppositories: clinical endocrinological and safety aspects. Maturitas 14:23–31

    Google Scholar 

  28. Guttuso T Jr, Kurlan R, McDermott MP, Kieburtz K (2003) Gabapentin’s effects on hot flashes in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol 101(2):337–345

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Faure ED, Chantre P, Mares P (2002) Effects of a standardized soy extract on hot flushes: a multicenter double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Menopause 9(5):329–334

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Kongnyuy EJ, Norman RJ, Flight IHK, Rees MC (2005) Oestrogen and progestogen hormone replacement therapy for perimenopausal and post-menopausal women: weight and body fat distribution. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 3. Art. no.: CD001018. doi:10.1002/14651858

  31. Sanchanta P, Saenphet K, Saenphet S, Aritajat S, Wongsawad C (2005) Toxicological study of aqueous and ethanolic extracts from Pueraria mirifica Airy Shaw and Suvatabandhu on male rats. In: Brovelli E, Chansakaow S, Farias D et al (eds) III WOCMAP congress on medicinal and aromatic plants—volume 5: quality, effectiveness, safety, processing and trade in medicinal and aromatic plants. International Society for Horticultural Science, Leuven, Belgium

    Google Scholar 

  32. Egeland GM, Kuller LH, Matthews KA, Kelsey SF, Cauley J, Guzick D (1990) Hormone replacement therapy and lipoprotein changes during early menopause. Obstet Gynecol Nov 76(5 pt 1):776–782

    Google Scholar 

  33. Godsland IF (2001) Effects of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy on lipid, lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein (a) concentrations: analysis of studies published from 1974–2000. Fertil Steril 75:898–915

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Irwig L, Glaszious P, Wilson A, Macaskill P (1991) Estimating an individual’s true cholesterol level and response to intervention. JAMA 266:1678–1685

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from The Thai Traditional Medical Knowledge Fund, The Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine, Ministry of Public Health of Thailand. The sponsors were not involved in any aspect of this research. The authors would like to thank Dr. Budsaba Wiriyasirivaj and Dr. Sumonmal Manusirivithaya for their assistance in statistical analysis and Dr. Siriwan Tangjitgamol for the manuscript preparation.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that we have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Phongthorn Virojchaiwong.

Appendix

Appendix

figure a

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Virojchaiwong, P., Suvithayasiri, V. & Itharat, A. Comparison of Pueraria mirifica 25 and 50 mg for menopausal symptoms. Arch Gynecol Obstet 284, 411–419 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1689-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1689-5

Keywords

Navigation