Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Of common alternative treatments for early symptoms of early menopause are phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogenic compounds naturally occur in hop, though there is no study investigating the hop effect on the early symptoms of menopause. This study aims to evaluate the effect of hop (Humulus lupulus L.) in treating early menopausal symptoms and hot flashes (primary outcomes).

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial, 60 post-menopausal women were randomly allocated into two groups with ratio of 1:1, receiving the hop or placebo tablets, 500 mg per day for 12 weeks. Early menopausal symptoms were assessed using Greene scale and hot flushes were recorded in a diary before the intervention, and 4, 8 and 12 weeks under-intervention. Data were analyzed using general linear regression model.

Results: There was no loss to follow-up during the 12 weeks of intervention. The Greene total score in the hop group was significantly lower than that in the placebo group at 4 (adjusted difference: -11.7, 95% confidence interval: -13.6 to -9.9), 8 (-23.6, -25.5 to -21.7) and 12 (-29.9, -31.7 to -28.1) weeks after intervention. No side events were reported.

Conclusions: Hop effectively reduced the early menopausal symptoms and the number of hot flushes in post-menopausal women. Phytoestrogens can be used for reducing the early menopausal symptoms in the postmenopausal period.

This study was approved (code 91209) by the Ethic Committee of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and registered at the Iranian registry of clinical trials, code IRCT 2013010110324N7 on April 2013.