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Red Clover Extract Helps Vaginal Dryness
July 9, 2003 -- A red-clover extract may help symptoms of vaginal dryness in healthy, postmenopausal women.
The finding comes from a study of 29 women who took a red-clover supplement sold as Promensil by Novogen Ltd., Sydney, Australia. For eight weeks, half the women took Promensil and half took an identical looking placebo. After a two-week washout period, the women switched treatments for another eight weeks.
When the women were taking Promensil, they had less vaginal dryness. Estrogen does the same thing -- but it also increases postmenopausal cancer risk by thickening the inner layer of the uterus. The red clover supplement did not have this effect.
Malcolm Whitehead, MD, director of the gynecology/endocrinology unit at King's College Hospital, London, England, reported the results of the study at the recent annual meeting of the British Menopause Society.
"The preliminary results of this study are encouraging news for women who want to manage menopause symptoms naturally and to continue enjoying sex," Whitehead says in a news release.
According to the supplement's manufacturer, red clover is rich in four compounds -- isoflavones -- known to be biologically active. Soy contains only two of these compounds.
Whitehead and colleagues note that larger studies are needed to confirm the positive effects of red clover extract.
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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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