The possibilities of phytotherapy in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women
Zhuravel А.S., Balan V.E.

Moscow Regional Research Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Compared to other plants, the red clover according to the content of isoflavones today can be regarded as one of the best sources of phytoestrogens. Moreover, it is assumed that isoflavones of  the red clover extracts (RCE) have a large estrogenic potential due to transformation into more active substances with absorption in the intestine. Study of the action of the red clover isoflavones showed that they reduce the symptoms of menopause in women due to the effect on the levels of neurotransmitters of the central nervous system. RCE Feminal does not negatively affect the lipid profile, with therapy during the year it reduces the stiffness of the vascular wall and can be considered as a real method of preventing cardiovascular diseases in women in menopause. 
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the drug Feminal on the stiffness of the vascular wall.
Patients and methods. The study included 80 women in the peri- and early postmenopausal period (menopause duration was 3.02 ± 1.4 years) with moderate-to-severe symptoms of climacteric syndrome (CS), age (51.3 ± 5.8 years). All patients were divided into 2 groups by random sampling. Group I (n = 40) consisted of women with moderate-to-severe CS who received RCE (Feminal) at a dose of 40 mg / day for 12 months. Group II (n = 40) (control group) consisted of women who refused to take any medications. A significant decrease in the mean values of the pulse wave velocity by 17.6% (p <0.05) was noted in the group of patients receiving RCE Feminal.
Results. There was a decrease in the frequency and severity of all CS symptoms in patients taking RCE (Feminal) at a dose of 40 mg / day in comparison with the control group.
Conclusion. Thus, the use of the drug based on the red clover extract is effective for the treatment of moderate CS. The maximum effectiveness is noted by the 6th month of the drug intaking and is maintained until the 12th month of therapy. 

Key words: stiffness of the vascular wall, phytoestrogens, menopause, pulse wave velocity, applanation tonometry.
For citation: Zhuravel А.S., Balan V.E. The possibilities of phytotherapy in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women // RMJ. 2017. № 15. P. 1116–1120.