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Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics

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Open Access 01-03-2016 | General Gynecology

Low-dose isoflavone aglycone alleviates psychological symptoms of menopause in Japanese women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Authors: Asuka Hirose, Masakazu Terauchi, Mihoko Akiyoshi, Yoko Owa, Kiyoko Kato, Toshiro Kubota

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 3/2016

Abstract

Purpose

Many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of isoflavones on menopausal symptoms; however, these mostly used high dosages. Because high-dose isoflavone may result in endometrial hyperplasia, we investigated whether low-dose isoflavone aglycone alleviates menopausal symptoms similarly to high dosages.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 90 healthy women aged 40–60 years who had at least one menopausal symptom on the Menopausal Symptom Scale (MSS). The participants were randomized to receive active tablets containing ultralow-dose (12.5 mg/day; n = 30) or low-dose (25 mg/day; n = 30) isoflavone aglycone, or placebo (n = 30) tablets, for 8 weeks. Their menopausal symptoms were evaluated using MSS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) before, and 4 and 8 weeks after treatment.

Results

Eighty-seven women (97 %) completed the 8-week treatment. In the low-dose group, significant improvement was observed from baseline, in the following parameters: (1) HADS-depression subscale score, (2) AIS score, (3) MSS-somatic symptom score after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, and (4) MSS-vasomotor symptom score after 8 weeks of treatment. The changes in scores on HADS-depression subscale and AIS from baseline to 8 weeks were significantly higher in the low-dose group than in the placebo group.

Conclusions

Low-dose (25 mg/day) isoflavone aglycone significantly alleviated symptoms of depression and insomnia in Japanese middle-aged women.

Clinical Trial Registration UMIN-CTR UMIN000011876.

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Title: Low-dose isoflavone aglycone alleviates psychological symptoms of menopause in Japanese women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Asuka Hirose
Masakazu Terauchi
Mihoko Akiyoshi
Yoko Owa
Kiyoko Kato
Toshiro Kubota
Publication date: 01-03-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3849-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Low-dose isoflavone aglycone alleviates psychological symptoms of menopause in Japanese women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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