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Published on: August 13, 2019
Does dong quai have estrogenic effects in postmenopausal women? A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
J D Hirata1, L M Swiersz, B Zell
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Oakland, California, USA.
Objective:
To evaluate possible estrogenic effects of dong quai on vaginal cells and on endometrial thickness in postmenopausal women.
Design:
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Setting:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in a large health maintenance organization (HMO).
Patient(S):
Seventy-one postmenopausal women (mean age [+/- SD], 52.4 +/- 6 years) who had follicle-stimulating hormone levels (third-generation assay) of > 30 mIU/mL with hot flashes.
Intervention(S):
Subjects were randomized to treatment with either dong quai or placebo for 24 weeks.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Endometrial thickness was measured by transvaginal ultrasonography; vaginal cells were evaluated for cellular maturation; menopausal symptoms were evaluated by reviewing the Kupperman index and the diary of vasomotor flushes.
Result(S):
We observed no statistically significant differences between groups in endometrial thickness, in vaginal maturation index, in number of vasomotor flushes, or in the Kupperman index.
Conclusion(S):
Used alone, dong quai does not produce estrogen-like responses in endometrial thickness or in vaginal maturation and was no more helpful than placebo in relieving menopausal symptoms.
