Pueraria mirifica is a medicinal plant native to Thailand. It contains phytoestrogens, which are plant hormones. The powdered extract is commonly used in capsules or tea for female issues related to menopause, such as hot flashes. However, do not use herbal remedies in place of traditional medical care. Take pueraria mirifica only after consulting your doctor.
Menopause
Menopause is a transition period where your reproductive capabilities cease. Your ovaries stop producing eggs and your body produces less estrogen and progesterone, the primary female hormones. During and after this time, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms related to reduced hormone levels. This includes vaginal dryness, hot flashes and night sweats. Some women choose hormone replacement therapy to help relieve these symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy uses synthetic estrogen and progesterone to replace what your body no longer produces.
Vaginal Health
Pueraria mirifica improves vaginal health in postmenopausal women with no reported serious adverse side effects. According to a study published in the September, 2007 issue of the journal "Menopause," pueraria mirifica exerts estrogen-like activity on vaginal tissue. It relieves vaginal dryness and restores vaginal muscle tone. It also reverses vaginal atrophy, which is a thinning of your vaginal wall.
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Hot flashes and night sweats are common menopausal complaints. Hot flashes are an uncomfortable sensation of warmth. Night sweats are excess sweating at night, which often leaves your bed clothes drenched. Pueraria mirifica relieves these symptoms in perimenopausal women. According to a study published in the January 2004 issue of the "Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand," researchers at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Hat Yai Regional Hospital in Thailand concluded that pueraria mirifica demonstrates great promise as a treatment for vasomotor menopausal symptoms.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Women often seek hormone replacement therapy when menopausal symptoms become too uncomfortable. However, traditional hormone replacement therapy increases your risk for breast cancer, heart disease and stroke, according to Mayoclinic.com. A study published in the September 2007 issue of the "Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand," evaluated pueraria mirifica use versus conjugated equine estrogen, which is the synthetic estrogen used in HRT. The study found that pueraria mirifica performed just as well as synthetic estrogen, with no significant statistical difference. Though pueraria mirifica performed just as well, there is no long-term clinical data indicating that it is safer than synthetic estrogen.
References
- "Menopause"; Effect of Pueraria Mirifica on Vaginal Health; J. Manonai et al; September 2007
- "Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand"; Efficacy and Safety of Pueraria Mirifica (Kwao Kruea Khao) for the Treatment of Vasomotor Symptoms in Perimenopausal Women: Phase Ii Study; S. Lamlertkittikul et al.; January 2004
- "Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand"; Efficacy Comparison of Pueraria Mirifica (Pm) Against Conjugated Equine Estrogen (Cee) With/Without Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (Mpa) in the Treatment of Climacteric Symptoms in Perimenopausal Women: Phase II Study; V. Chandeying et al.; September 2007
- Mayoclinic.com: Hormone Replacement Therapy -- is It Right for You?; February 2010
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