The effect of Vitagnus on improving menopausal hot flashes in Iranian women: a review study

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Health Education, Medical Education Research Center, School of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Centre, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Geriatric Health, School of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

4 Professor, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

5 PhD candidate of Gerontology, Department of Geriatric Health, School of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. PhD candidate of Gerontology, Student Research Committee, School of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

10.22038/ijogi.2024.81596.6158

Abstract

Introduction: Menopausal hot flashes are a common complaint among postmenopausal women, and the herbal remedy of Vitagnus is often preferred over hormone therapy by many in this population. Therefore, the present study was performed with aim to investigate the effects of Vitagnus on menopausal hot flashes and any associated side effects in Iranian women.
Methods: A search was conducted in databases, including Embase, MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane, ProQuest, Web of Science, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Iranian databases such as Iranmedex, SID, IranDoc, IRCT, and Magiran (in Persian). The keywords searched included “postmenopausal women,” “menopausal women,” “Vitagnus,” “Vitex agnus-castus L.,” “Vitex,” “hot flashes,” and “chaste tree”. The quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was assessed using the Collaboration Cochrane tool, while non-randomized studies was evaluated based on the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool.
Results: In the five RCTs, Vitagnus significantly reduced hot flash symptoms over eight weeks. In three quasi-experimental studies, Vitagnus significantly reduced hot flashes within four weeks. Adverse events were fully reported in four studies and summarized in two studies. Nausea and itching were the most commonly reported side effects.
Conclusion: While this systematic review indicated that Vitagnus may be effective in alleviating hot flashes in Iranian menopausal women, but the lack of a meta-analysis, there was insufficient data to make definitive judgments regarding its efficacy.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 27, Issue 10
December 2024
Pages 77-92

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