The synopsis is based on the following article: Franco OH, Chowdhury R, Troup J, Voortman T, Kunutsor S, Kavousi M, OliverWilliams C, Muka T. Use of plant-based therapies and menopausal symptoms. A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA 2016; 315 (23): 2554–2563 [1] Design Meta-analysis of 62 studies randomised clinical trials (RCTs). Participants A total of 6653 participants [median age 53.5 (18– 75 years)] unique women were assessed. The metaanalysis cohort located women from Europe (21 studies), Asia-Pacific (17 studies), North America (10 studies), South America (7 studies) and the Middle East (7 studies). Intervention Hot flashes in 24 hours: dietary soy isoflavones, supplements and extracts of soy isoflavones, Red clover and other phytoestrogens. Night sweats in 24 hours: dietary soy isoflavones, Red clover Vaginal dryness score: supplements and extracts of soy isoflavones and other phytoestrogens A meta-analysis comparing Red clover to Black cohosh was also conducted for the number of daily hot flushes. Doses of Red clover ranged from 40 to 160 mg daily and Black cohosh ranged from 6.5 mg to 160 mg daily. Due to limited number of studies, a meta-analysis was not performed on the association between the use of Chinese medicinal herbs and menopausal symptoms. The duration of the interventions ranged from 4 weeks to 2 years with the majority (28 studies) consisting of a 12-week intervention period.
