Menopause Formula

. . . .for the natural transition of menopause*

Doctor Formulated

• Natural source of phyto-estrogens from standardized black cohosh root extract*

• Reduces uncomfortable effects of menopause*1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

• Modulates hormone levels by suppressing luteinizing hormone (LH)*1, 2

• Effectively binds with estrogen receptors*1

• Nutritional support from antioxidant vitamins E and C

Facts About Menopause

Menopause is caused as the ovaries, over time, produce less estrogen. This is a natural time in every woman’s life. Without estrogen to stimulate ovulation, the menstrual periods cease. For many women, menopause is associated with one or more undesirable effects, such as hot flashes, negativity, anxiety, mood swings or vaginal dryness.

        The average American woman lives a third of her life after menopause, which usually begins at about age 50. However it is not uncommon for menopausal effects to begin occurring, with increasing frequency, several years before this.

       The fluctuating hormone levels that often occur during menopause cause emotional and physical discomfort reported by many menopausal women. In particular, surges of luteinizing hormone (LH), produced by the pituitary gland, are associated with the occurrence of hot flashes. The LH “surges” in an attempt to compensate for the decrease in estrogen levels.

Facts About Black Cohosh

         Natural plant estrogens, called phyto-estrogens, are related in structure to estrogen8 and may ease some of the discomfort of menopause.*7 One unique plant source of phyto‑estrogens is black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa). A standardized extract from the rhizome (underground stem) of black cohosh,  has been used clinically for more than 40 years in Europe, and more than 200 years by American Indians, to ease the effects of menopause.*1

        Black cohosh contains compounds that bind to estrogen receptors and work synergistically to reduce LH secretion.1

        According to a clinical trial involving 110 menopausal women, standardized black cohosh root extract supplemented daily for two months significantly reduced LH levels.2  Another study confirmed the effectiveness of black cohosh to help alleviate the discomforts of menopause.3

                Contraindications: side effects of black cohosh seem to be limited to minor gastrointestinal discomfort. At daily dosages as high as 160 mg, no toxicity is evident. Caution: One source noted that no long-term studies regarding the use of black cohosh had been done, therefore the recommendation was to limit its use to 6 months or less.9 Pregnant or lactating women should not use this product.

Ingredient Facts

        Vitamin E, as a nutritional aid during menopause, was first studied in the 1940s. Several of these early studies showed promising results for menopausal women supplementing with vitamin E.5,6 Although there have been no follow‑up studies to this early research, clinicians continue to link vitamin E to reducing the discomforts associated with menopause.*

        Vitamin C, combined with the antioxidant flavonoid hesperidin, has been demonstrated in one study to provide a measure of relief from some menopausal discomforts.4

        Phyto-estrogens from other plant sources are also supportive for menopausal women,* including soy bean, wild yam, rice, flax seeds, and amaranth. These foods contain phyto‑estrogens and have been used historically for the support of the gynecological health of women.*

        Australian researchers compared the ability of different food source phyto-estrogens to alleviate the undesirable effects of menopause.10  A group of 58 menopausal women ate diets with either wheat (containing enterolactones) or soy (containing isoflavones). The wheat group had 25 percent fewer hot flashes while the soy group reduced hot flashes by an impressive 40 percent.*10

        A combination of soy beans and flax seeds was shown in a three-month study of 145 menopausal women to significantly reduce some of the more common symptoms of

menopause.11

                Another study of 40 menopausal women showed that soy protein provides a 45% reduction in hot flashes.7 

References

1. Brinker, F. Macrotys. Eclectic Med J, 1996;II:2-4.

2. Duker, EM., et al. Effects of extracts from Cimicifuga racemosa on gonadotropin release in menopausal women and ovariectomized rats. Planta Medica 1991;57(5):420-424.

3. Lehmann, WE., Riedel, HH. Klinische und endokrinologische untersuchungen zur therapie ovariellrausfallserscheinungen nach hysterektomie unter belassung der adnexe. Zentralblatt Fuer Gynackologie, 1988;110:611-618.

4. Smith, CJ. Non‑hormonal control of vaso‑motor flushing in menopausal patients. Chicago Medicine, March 7, 1964.

5. Perloff, WH. Treatment of the menopause. Am J  Obstet Gynecol, 1949;58:684-94.

6. Gozan, HA. The use of vitamin E in treatment of the  menopause. NY State J Med, 1952;52:1289.

7. Albertazzi, P., Pansini, F., Bonaccorsi, G., et al. The effect of dietary soy supplementation on hot flushes. Obstet Gynecol, 1998;91:6-11.

8. Martin, PM., Horwitz, KB., Ryan, DS. and McGuire, WL. Phytoestrogen interaction with estrogen receptors in human breast cancer cells. Endocrinology, 1978;103(5):1860-7.

9. Snow, JM., Sprint 1996. Cimicifuga racemosa (L) Nutt. (Ranunculaceae). The protocol Journal of Botanical Medicine, pp. 17-19.

10. Murkies, AL., et al. Dietary flour supplementation decreases post‑menopausal hot flushes: effect of soy and wheat. Maturitas, 1995;21(3):189-195.

11. Rzezinski, A., Adlercreutz, H., et al. Short‑term effects of phytoestrogen-rich diet on postmenopausal women. J North Amer Menopause Society, 1997;4(2):89-94.