Effect of Vitex agnus-castus on Menopausal Early Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo –Controlled Study

Abstract

Objective: Postmenopausal women usually experience symptoms related to vasomotor instability due to a decline in estradiol levels. Certain plants have been found to have components that are same in structure and function to female estrogen and progesterone. This study conducted to compare the efficacy of Vitex agnus-castus (Vitex) with placebo in postmenopausal women with hot flashes. Design: Sixty postmenopausal teachers with 45-60 years old participated in a clinical trial conducted in an academic center in Gorgan-Iran. The participants divided in two equal groups randomly and treated with Vitex or placebo, 40 drops per day for 8 weeks. Data collected by using interview, individual characteristics questionnaire and evaluated by Blatt-kapperman’s index at four follow-up visits. Statistical analysis was carried out by using descriptive statistics and multivariable analysis. Results: The difference in frequency of hot flushes between groups was significant at 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th weeks of intervention (P=0.015, p=0.000, p=0.000 and p=0.000, respectively) and also the decline in the severity of hot flashes in women who received Vitex was more evident on 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th weeks (p=0.015, p=0.12, p=0.000 and p=0.000, respectively). Furthermore, comparing both study groups the result showed that the difference in Blatt-Kupperman index was not significant on the 2nd week of treatment (p=0.198); however, it was statistically significant between the two groups on the 4th, 6th, and 8th week of treatment (p=0.008, p=0.00 and p=0.00, respectively). Some adverse events recoded between groups were statistically significant (p=0.012). Conclusion: Despite some unimportant adverse events, this study showed that Vitex as a natural therapeutic agent is an effective treatment for the early vasomotor symptoms of postmenopausal women especially in women who have a contraindication to use of female hormones but this recommendation requires to more studies with larger samples.