Red Clover for Menopausal Symptoms

 

Red Clover Isoflavones in Postmenopausal Women: Skin, Appendages, Mucosal Status

 

“Effect of Red Clover Isoflavones over Skin, Appendages, and Mucosal Status in Postmenopausal Women,” Lipovac M, Chedraui P, et al, Obstet Gynecol Int, 2011; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Public Teaching Hospital Korneuburg, 2100 Korneuburg, Austria).

 

In a crossover, placebo-controlled study involving 109 postmenopausal women, supplementation with red clover extract isoflavones was found to improve scalp hair and skin status, libido, mood, sleep, and reduce tiredness.

 

Subjects were randomized to: 2 daily capsules of the red clover extract (80 mg), or placebo, for a period of 90 days, after which the interventions were crossed over (after a 7 day washout period). Subjective improvements in scalp hair and skin status, libido, mood, sleep, and tiredness were found after supplementation with red clover extract.

 

No significant differences in urinary complaints, nail, body hair, and oral/nasal/ocular mucosa were found. Subjects in the red clover extract group reported higher overall satisfaction. The authors conclude, “RCE supplementation exerted a subject improvement of scalp hair and skin status as well as libido, mood, sleep, and tiredness in postmenopausal women.”

 

Red Clover Isoflavones and Vasomotor Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women

 

MENOPAUSE, VASOMOTOR SYMPTOMS, HOT FLASHES, NIGHT SWEATS – Red Clover Isoflavones

 

“The effect of red clover isoflavone supplementation over vasomotor and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women,” Lipovac M, Chedraui P, et al, Gynecol Endocrinol, 2012 March; 28(3): 203-7. (Address: Martin Imhof, General Public Teaching Hospital Korneuburg, Wiener Ring 3-5, A-2100 Korneuburg, Austria. E-mail: martin.imhof@meduniwien.ac.at and martin@imhof.at ).

 

In a placebo-controlled study involving 109 postmenopausal women aged 40 years or older, supplementation with red clover isoflavones (80 mg/d) for a period of 90 days, was found to be associated with reducing daily hot flashes and vasomotor symptoms and overall intensity of menopausal symptoms.

 

Specifically, subjects were randomized to 80 mg/d red clover isoflavones or placebo for a period of 90 days, after which the interventions were crossed over (following a 7 day washout). Supplementation with red clover isoflavones was associated with significant reductions in daily hot flashes, night sweats, and overall menopausal symptom intensity, while placebo was associated with increases in all indices.

 

The authors state, “Red clover isoflavone supplementation was more effective than placebo in reducing daily vasomotor frequency and overall menopausal intensity in postmenopausal women.”

From Health Info Newsletter February 24, 2012: GMOs, Red Clover for Menopause, Green Tea