Menopause is a natural phase of a woman's life, during which important changes take place both physically and emotionally[19].
Starting from premenopause, the production of the hormones that regulate the reproductive system in fertile women - oestrogen and progesterone - decreases steadily.
For this reason, the menstrual cycle becomes irregular (periods absent for a few months or closer together), until it disappears.
The gradual decrease in oestrogen that takes place in this phase is the first cause of the appearance of the typical, bothersome complaints of menopause[20].
To make up for this progressive decrease, people normally turn to food supplements based on isoflavones, a family of natural molecules capable of “mimicking” the activity of oestrogen.
From Soya to Red Clover and Kudzu, more effective and more absorbable
First-generation menopause supplements offered isoflavones from Soya (Glycine max). However, their effect is of little effectiveness in countering menopause-related complaints[21].
Today, modern menopause supplements NO LONGER include soya, because it contains only 2 isoflavones (Genistein and Daidzein) and in a glycosylated form that prevents optimal and rapid absorption in the human body[22], with the result that they are very poorly effective.
Moreover, the soya available on the market today is more and more often genetically modified.
In the natural and herbal products sector, more and more attention is paid to avoiding plant extracts from GMO crops4.
For these reasons, second-generation menopause supplements have moved on to other plant active ingredients, in particular Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), which provides no fewer than 4 Isoflavones most of which come in an already absorbable form, without the glycosidic part, making them more rapidly assimilated and more bioavailable[23].
Red Clover is, therefore, better suited than soya to supporting women in menopause, and at Salugea we have combined it with Kudzu (Pueraria lobata), a wild plant native to Japan.
As well as providing no fewer than 6 different types of isoflavones, Kudzu is particularly effective in rebalancing the cardiological imbalances of menopause such as blood pressure swings, hypertension, palpitations11.
The effectiveness of Kudzu extract is also due to the presence of one of its particular isoflavones, Puerarin11 which, as well as being easily assimilated, stands out for its very high bioavailability, remarkable stability and longer persistence in the bloodstream compared with other types of Isoflavones.
The innovation of Dioscorea
Over time, the isoflavones extracted from Red Clover and Kudzu have therefore replaced those extracted from soya. Their oestrogen-like function makes it possible to fill the sudden lack of oestrogen in women in menopause.
But, as mentioned, in this phase the levels of progesterone, another important hormone, also decrease. How can it be supplemented?
By combining the plant extract of Dioscorea, which provides a specific active ingredient (Diosgenin) with a natural “progestogen-like” action that is useful, therefore, for true hormonal balance13.
Let us now look at some in-depth studies carried out on these active ingredients.
Experimental Phytotherapy
The formulation of Pausanorm Forte contains Red Clover, Kudzu, Dioscorea, Angelica Sinensis and Vervain.
Red Clover
- J Obstet Gynaecol. 2016;36(3):301-11. doi: 10.3109/01443615.2015.1049249. Epub 2015 Oct 15. Red clover for treatment of hot flashes and menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ghazanfarpour M, Sadeghi R, Roudsari RL, Khorsand I, Khadivzadeh T, Muoio B
This study evaluated the effectiveness of red clover in relieving hot flushes and menopausal symptoms in peri/postmenopausal women. The average frequency of hot flushes in the red clover groups was lower than that of the control groups. In addition, the subjective (vaginal dryness) and objective symptoms of vaginal atrophy showed a significant improvement with a dose of 80 mg of red clover a day.
Kudzu
- Puerarin: a review of pharmacological effects. Zhou YX, Zhang H, Peng C. Phytother Res. 2014 Jul;28(7):961-75. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5083. Epub 2013 Dec 13. Review.
This study analysed the beneficial effects of puerarin across various physiological applications. All of them may be due to its broad spectrum of functional properties such as vasodilation, cardioprotection, neuroprotection, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic action, support for bone formation, inhibition of alcohol absorption and attenuation of insulin resistance.
- Br J Nutr . 2003 Jun;89 Suppl 1:S45-58. doi: 10.1079/BJN2002796. Bioavailability of phyto-oestrogens. Ian Rowland 1, Marian Faughnan, Leane Hoey, Kristiina Wähälä, Gary Williamson, Aedin Cassidy
This study focused on the different assimilation of isoflavones depending on the type chosen. Kudzu is among the most easily assimilated. This sets it apart from soya, which instead shows more uncertain bioavailability.
Dioscorea Villosa
- Am J Chin Med. 2009;37(1):159-67.doi: 10.1142/S0192415X09006746. Estrogen activities and the cellular effects of natural progesterone from wild yam extract in mcf-7 human breast cancer cells. Mi-Kyung Par, Hyeok-Yi Kwon, Woong-Shick Ahn, Sumi Bae, Mee-Ra Rhyu, Youngjoo Lee
According to this study, the action of Dioscorea is to increase the activity of progesterone receptors in cells sensitive to this hormone, managing to stimulate the physiological response even when this hormone is present in low quantities. This therefore makes it useful during menopause to support hormonal rebalancing.
Angelica Sinensis
- Estrogenic activity of standardised extract of Angelica sinensis. Circosta C, Pasquale RD, Palumbo DR, Samperi S, Occhiuto F. Phytother Res. 2006 Aug;20(8):665-9.
In this study, the oestrogenic activity of a standardised extract of Angelica sinensis roots, used to relieve climacteric symptoms, was evaluated and demonstrated.
Vervain
- Novel neuroprotective effects of the aqueous extracts from Verbena officinalis Linn. Lai SW, Yu MS, Yuen WH, Chang RC. Neuropharmacology. 2006 May;50(6):641-50. Epub 2006 Jan 6.
In this study, researchers demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of Verbena officinalis, and that these are not just the fruit of beliefs linked to “folk medicine” but can be verified with scientific methods.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
[1] Kim JE, Jeong H, Hur S, Lee J, Kwon O. Efficacy and Safety of Kudzu Flower-Mandarin Peel on Hot Flashes and Bone Markers in Women during the Menopausal Transition: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2020;12(11):3237. Published 2020 Oct 22. doi:10.3390/nu12113237.
[2] Grandi G, Facchinetti F, Melotti C, Sgandurra A. Phyto-progestins for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding without organic cause in women at high risk for breast cancer and breast cancer survivors: a prospective, pilot study. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2023;39(1):2239936. doi:10.1080/09513590.2023.2239936.
[3] Vitale DC, Piazza C, Melilli B, Drago F, Salomone S. Isoflavones: estrogenic activity, biological effect and bioavailability. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2013;38(1):15-25. doi:10.1007/s13318-012-0112-y.
[4] Editoriale Domani – Politics – World – The Brazilian Experience – Soya is everywhere, even where you would least imagine it. And it is all GMO.
[5] Hadi THS, Santoso B, Hardianto G, Kurniawati EM. The effect of isoflavone on vaginal dryness and dyspareunia in postmenopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obstet Gynecol Sci. 2025;68(2):131-138. doi:10.5468/ogs.24282.
[6] Lipovac M, Chedraui P, Gruenhut C, Gocan A, Kurz C, Neuber B, Imhof M. Effect of Red Clover Isoflavones over Skin, Appendages, and Mucosal Status in Postmenopausal Women. Obstet Gynecol Int. 2011;2011:949302. doi: 10.1155/2011/949302. Epub 2011 Nov 1. PMID: 22135679; PMCID: PMC3206499.
[7] Wang S, Zhang S, Wang S, Gao P, Dai L. A comprehensive review on Pueraria: Insights on its chemistry and medicinal value. Biomed Pharmacother. 2020;131:110734. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110734.
[8] J Obstet Gynaecol. 2016;36(3):301-11. doi: 10.3109/01443615.2015.1049249. Epub 2015 Oct 15. Red clover for treatment of hot flashes and menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ghazanfarpour M, Sadeghi R, Roudsari RL, Khorsand I, Khadivzadeh T, Muoio B..
[9] Goyal N, Chaudhary R, Aggarwal K, et al. Red Clover Supplementation Alleviates Neurological Deficits in Estrogen Deficient Rats Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress. Eur J Neurosci. 2025;61(12):e70164. doi:10.1111/ejn.70164.
[10] Zhou YX, Zhang H, Peng C. Puerarin: a review of pharmacological effects. Phytother Res. 2014 Jul;28(7):961-75. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5083. Epub 2013 Dec 13. PMID: 24339367.
[11] Kim JE, Jeong H, Hur S, Lee J, Kwon O. Efficacy and Safety of Kudzu Flower-Mandarin Peel on Hot Flashes and Bone Markers in Women during the Menopausal Transition: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2020;12(11):3237. Published 2020 Oct 22. doi:10.3390/nu12113237.
[12] Semwal P, Painuli S, Abu-Izneid T, et al. Diosgenin: An Updated Pharmacological Review and Therapeutic Perspectives. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2022;2022:1035441. Published 2022 May 29. doi:10.1155/2022/1035441.
[13] Climacteric. 2011 Feb;14(1):132-9. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2010.498594. Epub 2010 Jul 23. The assessment of efficacy of Dioscorea alata for menopausal symptom. Hsu CC, Kuo HC, Chang SY, Wu TC, Huang KE.
[14] Circosta C, Pasquale RD, Palumbo DR, Samperi S, Occhiuto F. Estrogenic activity of standardized extract of Angelica sinensis. Phytother Res. 2006;20(8):665-669. doi:10.1002/ptr.1928.
[15] Xin YF, Zhou GL, Shen M, et al. Angelica sinensis: a novel adjunct to prevent doxorubicin-induced chronic cardiotoxicity. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2007;101(6):421-426. doi:10.1111/j.1742-7843.2007.00144.x.
[16] Chen SW, Min L, Li WJ, Kong WX, Li JF, Zhang YJ. The effects of angelica essential oil in three murine tests of anxiety. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2004;79(2):377-382. doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2004.08.017.
[17] Makino, Y., Kondo, S., Nishimura, Y. et al. Hastatoside and verbenalin are sleep-promoting components in Verbena officinalis. Sleep Biol. Rhythms 7, 211–217 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-8425.2009.00405.x.
[18] Vicariotto F, Malfa P, Viciani E, et al. Efficacy of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PBS067, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL050, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LRH020 in the Amelioration of Vaginal Microbiota in Post-Menopausal Women: A Prospective Observational Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2024 Jan 30;16(3):402. doi: 10.3390/nu16030402. PMID: 38337685; PMCID: PMC10857347.
[19] Nature Menopause. S.R. Davis, I.Lambrinoudaki, M. Lumsden, G.D. Mishra, L. Pal, M. Rees, N. Santoro & T. Simoncini.
[20] Italian Ministry of Health - Women's Health – Menopause.
[21] Levis S, Strickman-Stein N, Ganjei-Azar P, Xu P, Doerge DR, Krischer J. Soy Isoflavones in the Prevention of Menopausal Bone Loss and Menopausal Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-blind Trial. Arch Intern Med. 2011;171(15):1363–1369. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.330.
[22] Br J Nutr. 2003 Jun;89 Suppl 1:S45-58. Bioavailability of phyto-oestrogens. Rowland I, Faughnan M, Hoey L, Wähälä K, Williamson G, Cassidy A..
[23] Maul R, Kulling SE. Absorption of red clover isoflavones in human subjects: results from a pilot study. Br J Nutr. 2010 Jun;103(11):1569-72. doi: 10.1017/S0007114509993564. Epub 2010 Jan 13. PMID: 20067656.
Pausanorm Forte is a food supplement: read the warnings on the label. Food supplements are not to be understood as substitutes for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Our texts are for information purposes only; they are not to be understood as an indication for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions and are in no way intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
Our texts are for information purposes only; they are not to be understood as an indication for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions and are in no way intended to replace the advice of a doctor.