Abstract

PENNY, Bronwyn L.; RAZLOG, Radmila; DEROUKAKIS, Marilena  and  JOHNSTON, Gavin. A comparative study of Klimakt-Heel® and Femolene ultra in the managemente of typical climacteric symptoms. Health SA Gesondheid (Online) [online]. 2009, vol.14, n.1, pp.144-148. ISSN 2071-9736.

The climacteric is described as the physiological cessation of menses due to a decrease in ovarian function. Typically, women between the ages of 44 and 57 years old are symptomatically affected by it. During this stage of life, a woman may experience what is referred to as 'typical climacteric symptoms' of varying intensity, including vasomotor reactions, increased perspiration, sleeping problems, mood changes, headaches, joint pains and urogenital problems. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Femolene Ultra (phytotherapeutic preparation) and Klimakt-Heel® (homeopathic preparation) in the treatment of typical climacteric symptoms. Thirty female volunteers between the ages of 44 and 57 years suffering from climacteric symptoms were recruited and asked to complete the Patient Profile and Case History Form and to sign a Patient Information and Consent Form. These participants were randomly placed in two groups of fifteen. One group received Femolene Ultra and the other received Klimakt-Heel® for a period of 12 weeks. The trial was blinded as neither the researcher nor the participant was aware of which treatment was being administered. Blood samples were taken to ascertain the 17ß oestradiol levels before and after the 12-week period. The Kupperman Menopause Index (KMI) was used as a self-report measure and completed at four-weekly intervals. For statistical purposes, the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, from the class of non-parametric distribution-free tests, was used. Both products served to decrease the typical climacteric symptoms significantly within the 12-week period. Femolene Ultra decreased the average Kupperman Menopause Index (KMI) score by 63% (26.2 to 16.4) and Klimakt-Heel® decreased the average score by 54% (28.4 to 15.28), although more participants in the Klimakt-Heel® group experienced amelioration of climacteric symptoms. The results are not conclusive, but they do provide an interesting base-line on which further research can be built.

Keywords : menopause; complementary medicine; homeopathy; herbalism; hormone replacement therapy.

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