Only a limited number of clinical studies (human studies) have investigated the effect of Panax ginseng on menopausal symptoms, and the overall evidence remains inconclusive. While some studies found that supplementation with Korean red ginseng in menopausal women improved sexual arousal, overall health, and menopausal symptoms compared to a placebo, others failed to observe a significant reduction in hot flash frequency, although they found significant improvements in well-being and depression.[1]
It’s worth highlighting that one of these studies noted that physiological parameters such as follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels, endometrial thickness, maturation index, and vaginal pH were not affected by supplementation with ginseng. This suggests that any potential beneficial effects of Panax ginseng on menopause are unlikely to be mediated by hormone-replacement-like mechanisms.[2] However, in vitro studies have reported that several ginsenosides are agonists (activators) of estrogen receptors.[3] Further research is required to clarify this mechanism of action.
References
- ^Kim MS, Lim HJ, Yang HJ, Lee MS, Shin BC, Ernst EGinseng for managing menopause symptoms: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.J Ginseng Res.(2013-Mar)
- ^Wiklund IK, Mattsson LA, Lindgren R, Limoni CEffects of a standardized ginseng extract on quality of life and physiological parameters in symptomatic postmenopausal women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Swedish Alternative Medicine GroupInt J Clin Pharmacol Res.(1999)
- ^Seely D, Dugoua JJ, Perri D, Mills E, Koren GSafety and efficacy of panax ginseng during pregnancy and lactation.Can J Clin Pharmacol.(2008)