Effect of a combination of isoflavones and Actaea racemosa Linnaeus on climacteric symptoms in healthy symptomatic perimenopausal women:: a 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study

Objective: To investigate the effects of a novel dietary supplement containing soy isoflavones and Actaea racemosa Linnaeus (formerly called Cimicifuga racemosa L.) on climacteric symptoms in healthy perimenopausal women. Design: In a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, 124 women experiencing at least five vasomotor symptoms every 24 hours were randomized to receive daily either a phytoestrogen-containing supplement (n = 60) or placebo (n = 64) for 12 weeks. The modified Kupperman Index and Greene Climacteric Scale, a visual analogue scale designed to measure quality of life and the daily number and severity of hot flushes, was used in the screening period and in weeks 6 and 12. Changes in these scores from baseline were calculated. Results: At weeks 6 and 12, all scores in both groups had improved compared with baseline, though the overall difference in scores between the groups was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The supplement containing soy isoflavones and A racemosa L. had no statistically significant effect on climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal women experiencing at least five vasomotor symptoms per day.