- 1
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta,
5S131 Lois Hole Hospital for Women, Robbins Pavilion, Royal Alexandra
Hospital, 10240 Kingsway Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB, T5H 3 V9, Canada.
jcroden@ualberta.ca.
- 2
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta,
5S131 Lois Hole Hospital for Women, Robbins Pavilion, Royal Alexandra
Hospital, 10240 Kingsway Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB, T5H 3 V9, Canada.
sue.ross@albertahealthservices.ca.
- 3
- Faculty of Pharmacy
and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3-171 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy,
11405 - 87 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada.
nese.yuksel@ualberta.ca.
- 4
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta,
5S131 Lois Hole Hospital for Women, Robbins Pavilion, Royal Alexandra
Hospital, 10240 Kingsway Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB, T5H 3 V9, Canada.
bsydora@ualberta.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Menopause
is a natural phase in a woman's aging process, characterized by the
cessation of menstruation. Women who are going through the menopause
transition can experience physiological symptoms that significantly
impact their quality of life. Concern about adverse effects of
traditional hormone therapy often leads women to purchase
over-the-counter (OTC) natural health products (NHPs). The goal of this
study was toinvestigate the range of OTC NHPs for menopause available to
Canadian women, and the packaging information they can access to make
self-management decisions.
METHODS:
Edmonton
stores belonging to each of nine Canadian pharmacy chains were visited
to identify NHPs marketed for the relief of menopausal symptoms. Details
were extracted from the packaging: a) product name and manufacturer, b)
Health Canada license number, c) medically active ingredients, d)
claims of efficacy, e) contra-indications and warnings, and f) daily
cost. Data were entered and analyzed using Microsoft Excel.
RESULTS:
We
identified 20 OTC NHP menopausal products, 19 of which had Health
Canada license numbers. Twenty-eight medically active ingredients were
identified, with the most common being black cohosh (in 14 products) and
soy isoflavones (n = 7), chaste tree (n = 5), and dong quai (n = 3).
Most products claimed they would relieve vasomotor symptoms, including
hot flashes (n = 14) and night sweats (n = 10). Each product had a
labeled contraindication for at least one specific condition. Costs per
recommended daily dose ranged from $0.07 to a maximum of $2.50 (CAD$).
CONCLUSION:
Natural
health products for menopausal symptoms are easily available to
Canadian women. The lack of clear evidence of product efficacy makes the
need for easily accessible, balanced information on this topic
important for women to make well informed choices.
