Maturitas. 2002 Jul; 42(3): 187-93.

Isoflavones from red clover (Promensil) significantly reduce menopausal hot flush symptoms compared with placebo.

van de Weijer PH, Barentsen R.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of a red clover isoflavone dietary supplement (Promensil, Novogen Ltd., Australia) versus placebo on the change in hot flush frequency in postmenopausal women. METHODS: In this randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial 30 women with more than 12 months amenorrhoea and experiencing more than five flushes per day were enrolled. All received single blind placebo tablets for 4 weeks and were subsequently randomized to either placebo or 80 mg isoflavones for a further 12 weeks. Efficacy was measured by the decrease in number of hot flushes per day and changes in Greene Climacteric Scale Score. RESULTS: During the first 4 weeks of placebo the frequency of hot flushes decreased by 16%. During the subsequent double blind phase, a further, statistically significant decrease of 44% was seen in isoflavones group (P<0.01), whereas no further reduction occurred within the placebo group. The Greene score decreased in the active group by 13% and remained unchanged in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: In this study, treatment with 80 mg isoflavones (Promensil) per day resulted in a significant reduction in hot flushes from baseline. At the end of the study there was a significant decrease in hot flushes of 44% between the active and placebo group, demonstrating the effectiveness of Promensil in the management of hot flushes.