The Effect of Chinese Medicinal Herbs in Relieving Menopausal Symptoms in Ovariectomized Chinese Women

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of a defined formula of Chinese medicinal herbs, GengNianAn (GNA, also called menopausal symptom-relieving formula) formula in relieving menopausal symptoms in ovariectomized women. A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Between May 2003 and June 2006, 69 ovariectomized Chinese women were recruited to complete 12 weeks of intervention with either a defined formula of GNA (n = 36) or placebo (n = 33) taken twice daily as a beverage. Clinical symptoms were assessed by the modified Kupperman scale. The levels of venous blood serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and the maturation index (MI) of vaginal epithelial cells were respectively measured. There existed significant differences between the two groups in the total Kupperman scoring, MI of vaginal exfoliative cells, and the levels of FSH, LH, and E2 after treatment (P < .05). Chinese herbs may be a useful alternative treatment for ovariectomized women suffering from menopausal symptoms, who are unable or do not want to receive hormone replacement therapy (HRT).