The active ingredients in the herbal product Promensil Menopause are isoflavones from red clover. When you consume isoflavones, your body converts them to phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens. These chemical compounds have some similar but weaker effects than human estrogen does. Promensil Menopause is intended to complement declining estrogen levels before and during menopause. Research is conflicting on whether the product is effective. Consult a qualified health care provider before taking Promensil Menopause for hot flashes or other symptoms.
Promensil Menopause
Promensil Menopause, produced by Novogen, is standardized to contain 40 mg of four types of red clover isoflavones per tablet, according to the official website. Taking one or two tablets per day may relieve the severity and frequency of hot flashes and night sweats. The website states that most women may notice relief within three to eight weeks.
Red Clover
Although red clover has a role in alternative medicine for many conditions, research is lacking to confirm its effectiveness, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine website MedlinePlus. Research on taking red clover for menopausal symptoms has yielded mixed results. While some studies indicate that Promensil may decrease the severity of hot flashes but not the frequency, most research on red clover in general suggests that it does not decrease hot flashes or night sweats, says MedlinePlus. Red clover also does not seem to increase bone strength in women, which is another purported benefit.
Research Examples
An example of research finding positive results with Promensil was published in the July 25, 2002, issue of "Maturitas." The study included 30 menopausal women experiencing hot flashes. Participants taking 80 mg of Promensil per day reported a significant reduction in hot flashes compared with the placebo group. However, other research has found contradictory results. A study published in the July 9, 2003, issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association," for instance, compared the effects of Promensil, placebo and another red clover product called Rimostil. Decreases in the number of daily hot flashes over 12 weeks were similar for all groups, although the Promensil group had more rapid success than the other two groups.
Considerations
Red clover supplements are possibly safe for most people, according to MedlinePlus. Some people experience side effects such as rashes, muscle aches, headaches, nausea and irregular vaginal bleeding. Because red clover may have estrogen-like effects, avoid consuming it in medicinal dosages if you have any health condition that estrogen could worsen, such as endometriosis or a hormonal-related cancer. The Promensil official website encourages customers to call the manufacturer for suggestions to improve the product's effectiveness if no change occurs within six weeks.
References
- MedlinePlus: Red Clover
- "Maturitas"; Isoflavones From Red Clover (Promensil) Significantly Reduce Menopausal Hot Flush Symptoms Compared With Placebo; P.H. Van de Weijer, et al.; July 2002
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Phytoestrogen Supplements for the Treatment of Hot Flashes; J.A. Tice, et al.; July 2003
- Promensil.com: Promensil Menopause
