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Some Herbs Can Mimic Estrogen
April 10, 2002 -- Herbal remedies are more popular than ever. Some have entered the mainstream, gaining acceptance even within the medical community. But many remain unstudied, with little known about their safety, potency, or chemical properties. Now, researchers have found that several botanicals can mimic the action of the female hormone estrogen -- a potentially dangerous situation for women with, or at risk for, cancers such as breast cancer or cancer of the uterus that grow in response to female hormones.
Of course, some herbs are used for just that purpose -- to mimic estrogen and effectively relieve menopausal symptoms caused by decreased levels of estrogen. But others are not. And some of these, too, showed signs of mimicking estrogen.
"Our results indicate that some herbal remedies demonstrate measurable estrogenic activity, in spite of the fact that they are not traditionally used as such," says study leader Patricia K. Eagon, PhD, associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, in a news release. "This is important since it suggests that some extracts may not be appropriate for women who have a family or personal history of cancers that are linked to higher levels of estrogen, including breast and uterine cancer."
The study was presented at a meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Eagon's team tested several botanicals. They gave the plant extracts to female rats whose ovaries had been removed to see whether the herbs would interact with the animals' estrogen receptors as normal estrogen does.
Motherwort leaf, saw palmetto berry, Rhodiola rosea root, and red clover blossom interacted strongly with the rats' estrogen receptors, indicating that they have a strong estrogen-like effect in the body. Dang gui root, black and blue cohosh, vitex berry, hops flower, wild yam, and licorice root also showed some estrogen-like effects. Maca root, cramp bark, and turmeric root showed the weakest estrogen effect.
"While plant extracts can alleviate symptoms for a variety of conditions [such as menopausal hot flashes], women should practice caution when using them and may want to avoid their use for conditions in which estrogens are [not recommended]," says Eagon.
It's a good idea for anyone, male or female, to consult their doctor before taking any herbal remedy.
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VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.
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