Vitex Agnus-Castus extract (Ze 440) improves symptoms in women with menstrual cycle irregularities

Introduction: Menstrual cycle irregularities (MCIs) and the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are common disorders in women during their reproductive lifespan. It is estimated that up to 30% of women feel considerably bothered by PMS [1].

Aim: The aim of the present non-interventional study was to evaluate the effects of Ze 440 in women suffering from MCIs, such as polymenorrhea, oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea.

Method: A total of 211 patients were included and symptoms associated with MCIs and menstrual bleeding were assessed at baseline visit (BV) and at a follow up visit (FV) after treatment with Ze 440 during 3 subsequent menstrual cycles.

Results: Of the 211 patients included, 88.2% were treated with 20 mg Ze 440 daily. The proportion of patients with remission or improvement of MCIs (all in all) and specific symptoms such as polymenorrhoea, oligomenorrhoea and amenorrhoea was 80% to 86% at the FV. The proportion of patients with remission or improvement of symptoms related to menstrual bleeding such as dysmenorrhoea, inter-menstrual hypermenorrhoea, menometrorrhagia, ovulation bleeding, premenstrual or postmenstrual bleeding was 67% to 88% at FV. Out of 53 patients who reported an unfulfilled desire to have children at BV, 12 women (23%) got pregnant during treatment with Ze 440. At the FV, 95% of the physicians and 93% of the patients were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the achieved treatment outcomes, and 80% of the patients confirmed their preference to continue treatment with VAC extract.

Conclusion: This observational study in routine medical care showed that treatment with Ze 440 clearly ameliorated MCIs, such as polymenorrhoea, oligomenorrhoea or amenorrhoea and was well tolerated.

Disclosure Statement: The non-interventional study was sponsored by Zeller Medical AG, Romanshorn, Switzerland. Catherine Zahner and Sabine Nebel are employees of Zeller Medical AG

Keywords: Vitex agnus castus, menstrual cycle irregularities, polymenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, Ze 440

References:

[1] Tschudin, S. et al. (2010) Arch Womens Ment Health 13:485.494.