J Menopausal Med.  2017 Dec;23(3):160-165. 10.6118/jmm.2017.23.3.160.

Effect of Phytoestrogen on Depression and Anxiety in Menopausal Women: A Systematic Review

• Fattah A

• KMID: 2400251
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6118/jmm.2017.23.3.160

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
In this systematic review, the effectiveness of herbal medicines in improving depression and anxiety in menopausal women was assessed.
METHODS
Three following databases were individually searched: MEDLINE (1966-March 2017), SCOPUS (1990-March 2017), and the Cochrane Library (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; 2017).
RESULTS
A total of 9 trials were included in this systematic review. Overall, soy was found to have a beneficial effect. Also, fennel had a significant positive effect on menopausal women with depression and anxiety disorder, but not on healthy women. Red clover showed varying effects ranging from significant to non-significant on depression and anxiety. Moreover, kava was found to have a significant beneficial effect on depression and anxiety at dose of 200 mg/days.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrated that herbal medicines could improve anxiety and depression in among menopausal women. However, the beneficial effect still remains indefinite due to the poor methodology.

Keyword

Anxiety; Depression; Menopause; Phytoestrogens

MeSH Terms

Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety*
Depression*
Female
Foeniculum
Humans
Kava
Menopause
Phytoestrogens*
Trifolium
Phytoestrogens

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Search strategy of the study.

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