Phytotherapy as alternative to hormone replacement therapy.

Phytoestrogens are a group of non-steroidal compounds of plant origin that present structural and functional similarities with estradiol. Isoflavones are their most widely known category. There are different mechanisms of action of isoflavones accepted, although they may be considered as selective modulators of estrogen receptors.

Cimicifuga racemosa treatment and health related quality of life in post-menopausal Spanish women.

Objective: The effect of Cimicifuga racemosa (CR) treatment was evaluated in healthy symptomatic post-menopausal women using the Cervantes health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) scale.

Design: A prospective observational study was carried out in 122 healthy symptomatic post-menopausal Spanish women with elevated body weight, aged between 45 and 59 years. Three groups were formed according to age intervals.