A Clinical Study Assessing Efficacy of an Herbal Blend on Menopausal Symptoms and Quality of Life

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This 12-week study is a randomized, placebo-controlled study assessing the efficacy of an herbal blend on menopausal symptoms and quality of life.

Detailed Description
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate changes in menopause symptoms after taking an herbal supplement daily for 12 weeks compared to placebo (a tablet that does not have active ingredients). This is a remote study, meaning all study data will be collected via the ClaimIt app, with the exception of a screening lab appointment and a Week 12 lab appointment.Participants will be asked to report on study compliance and respond to a series of questionnaires relating to symptoms of menopause, hot flashes, and quality of life.

Official Title
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A Clinical Study Assessing Efficacy of an Herbal Blend on Menopausal Symptoms and Quality of Life

Conditions
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Menopause

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: phytoestrogen herbal blend
* Other: Placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Females between 40 and 65 years of age Report experiencing moderate to severe menopausal symptoms, characterized as including all of the following: Total Score of 11 or greater on the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) Questionnaire Self-reported frequent hot flashes experienced (estimated minimum of 28 during the past week, or an average of a minimum of 4 in a typical day) Absence of a regular menstrual cycle, defined as either: an irregular cycle for at least 6 months, or the absence of menses for 3 or more months Agreement to maintain current level of physical activity throughout the study period Willingness and ability to follow the procedures of the study Willingness and ability to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Participant with a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30mg/kg2 Participant who has had both ovaries removed Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on becoming pregnant during the course of the study A history of breast cancer or a positive mammogram A history of uterine cancer or an abnormal pap smear Abnormal vaginal bleeding (not related to menstrual irregularity) Liver disease A history of clinically diagnosed depression that a medical professional recommended should be medically treated A history of clinically diagnosed hypertension (systolic of 140 mmHg or greater or diastolic of 90 mmHg or greater) Hyperthyroidism determined by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) screening Any unstable medical condition as determined by the Principal Investigator (PI) Any significant clinical or laboratory abnormality identified by the PI Any change in the use of dietary supplements in the 2-month prior to enrollment The use of any product indicated for menopause symptoms in the 2 months prior to enrollment including: prescription drugs (e.g. estrogen/progestins), over-the-counter supplements (e.g. black cohosh, soy isoflavones, evening primrose oil, phytoestrogens, etc), or a significant change in diet to include more soy foods. The use of any psychiatric drugs in the 6 months prior to enrolling Self-reported abuse of drugs or alcohol Any smoking of cigarettes, vaping or e-cigarettes, or consumption of other tobacco products within the past 6 months Planned donation of blood during or up to 30 days after completion of the study An allergy to any ingredient in the herbal blend product or placebo A sensitivity to botanical extracts Previous participation in a clinical research study less than 30 days prior to randomization to a treatment group Any other condition that in the investigator's opinion may adversely affect the participant's ability to complete the study, or may pose a significant risk to the participant

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Investigational Herbal Blend<br>A phytoestrogen herbal blend | Dietary Supplement: phytoestrogen herbal blend<br>* phytoestrogen herbal blend<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo<br>Tablet without active ingredients | Other: Placebo<br>* Tablet without active ingredients<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Overall Menopausal Symptoms | Change from baseline in global menopausal symptoms assessed by the Greene Climacteric Questionnaire at Week 12. The Greene Climacteric Questionnaire is a 21-item validated questionnaire that provides a measurement of global menopause symptoms, grouping questions into psychological, physical, vasomotor, and sexual domains. Participants answer on a 4-point scale. Each response is given a numerical value from 0 to 3 points respectively, and the sum total of their 21-point responses is calculated as their GCS score. | 12 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Overall Menopausal Symptoms | Change from baseline in global menopausal symptoms assessed by Greene Climacteric questionnaire at weeks 2, 4 and 8. The Greene Climacteric Questionnaire is a 21-item validated questionnaire that provides a measurement of global menopause symptoms, grouping questions into psychological, physical, vasomotor, and sexual domains. Participants answer on a 4-point scale. Each response is given a numerical value from 0 to 3 points respectively, and the sum total of their 21-point responses is calculated as their GCS score. | 8 weeks | 
| Incidence/severity of hot flash episodes | Change from baseline in frequency of hot flash episodes as measured by self-report of incidence of hot flashes at week 2, 4, 8, and 12, considering: Total number of episodes Number of episodes per category of intensity: mild, moderate, severe and very severe | 12 weeks | 
| Feelings of fatigue | Change from baseline in feelings of fatigue as measured by Chalder Fatigue Scale questionnaire scores at weeks 4, 8, and 12. The CFS is an 11-point questionnaire that provides a numerical value for overall symptoms of fatigue. Participants are asked to answer about their experience of fatigue related symptoms on a 4-point scale including Less than usual, No more than usual, More than usual and Much more than usual on the first 10 questions. On the final question the options are Better than usual, No worse than usual, Worse than usual and Much worse than usual. Each score is given a numerical score of 0-3 respectively, and a total calculated as the sum of the 11 responses. | 12 weeks | 
| Health-related quality of life (EQ-VAS) | Change from baseline in health-related quality of life as measured by the EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. The EQ-VAS is a questionnaire that requires participants to report self-perception of how good their health is that day on a 100-point visual analogue scale. | 12 weeks | 
| Vaginal dryness | Change from baseline in self-reported vaginal dryness on a five-point scale as measured by response to a study-specific questionnaire item at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12 | 12 weeks | 
| Perception of wellness | Participant perception of wellness after 12 weeks of supplementation, as documented by listed responses to open-ended questions in a study-specific questionnaire. | 12 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Nutritional Supplement