GINSENG FOR VAGINAL DRYNESS DURING MENOPAUSE

By: Tammy-Lynn McNabb, RHNP

Menopause is a phase of a woman's life that can come with various physical and emotional challenges that can impact her overall health and wellbeing. A common symptom of menopause is hot flashes, which are sudden, intense feelings of heat that cause sweating and flushing of the face and neck. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and disrupt a woman's daily routine. Ginseng, an herb widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, has recently gained attention as a potential treatment option for menopausal symptoms. This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of ginseng in managing menopausal symptoms.

Ginseng and Menopause

Ginseng is a genus of perennial plants that belongs to the family Araliaceae. It is grown in various regions of the world, including Korea, China, the United States, and Canada. In traditional Chinese medicine, ginseng has been used for centuries to treat various ailments, including menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. Ginseng contains compounds called ginsenosides, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. These properties make ginseng a potential treatment option for women experiencing menopausal symptoms.

Current Evidence

A systematic review conducted by Lee and colleagues (2016) evaluated the effectiveness of ginseng in managing menopausal symptoms. The review included 24 randomized controlled trials involving 2,789 women. The trials evaluated the effects of various forms of ginseng, including red ginseng, white ginseng, and fermented ginseng, on menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood disturbances.

The review found that ginseng supplementation significantly reduced the frequency and severity of hot flashes in menopausal women compared to placebo. The effect was observed with both red and white ginseng. The review also found that ginseng supplementation improved vaginal dryness and mood disturbances. However, the effect on these symptoms was not as significant as the effect on hot flashes.

Another systematic review by Qu and colleagues (2019) evaluated the effect of ginseng on menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. The review included 18 randomized controlled trials involving 1,787 women. The trials evaluated the effect of ginseng on vasomotor symptoms, sexual function, and other menopausal symptoms.

The review found that ginseng supplementation significantly improved vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. However, the effect on sexual function and other menopausal symptoms such as insomnia, mood disturbances, and fatigue was not significant.

Is Ginseng a Good Option?

The evidence suggests that ginseng supplementation may be an effective treatment option for menopausal women experiencing hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood disturbances. However, the effect on other menopausal symptoms such as sexual function, insomnia, and fatigue is not significant. Further studies are needed to investigate the long-term effects of ginseng supplementation on menopausal symptoms and its safety and tolerability in menopausal women. Speak with a health care professional to see if ginseng is a good option for you during menopause.

References

Lee, M. S., Lee, H. W., You, S., Ha, K. T., & Choi, S. (2016). Effectiveness of ginseng on menopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 194, 271-279. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35691259/

Qu, Z., Li, Y., Zhang, C., Li, Y., Liu, C., & Huang, X. (2019). The Efficacy of Ginseng in the Management of Menopausal Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019