Can Chinese Herbal Medicine alleviate menopausal symptoms in Hong Kong Chinese women? A pilot study on the effects of a Chinese herbal formula on menopause

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a Chinese herbal formula Er-Xian Decoction (EXD) in alleviating menopausal symptoms and improving quality of life in Hong Kong Chinese women. METHODS: 108 volunteers (healthy women aged 45 to 55 years) who reported Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) 28 or more were recruited into a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The initial screening visit and last visit were conducted in O&G department, Queen Mary Hospital. The treatment visits were administered in the Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centers of the University of Hong Kong. After a 2-week baseline period, women were randomly allocated to receive Chinese herbal Medicine EXDor identical placebo granules for 12 weeks. Every woman was given 4-week dosages per treatment visit and assessed the daily vasomotor symptoms, the MENQOL Questionnaire and MRS. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses found statistically significant differences in mean hot flash scores, the MENQOL questionnaire and MRS between the placebo and Chinese herbal treatment groups after 12 weeks of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This Chinese herbal formula (EXD) can be recommended to alleviate menopausal symptoms or improve quality of life.