Treatment of psychosomatic complaints during the climacteric with Hypericum Perforatum L

Hot flushes, outbreaks of sweating and dizziness are symptoms most frequently associated with the climacteric and are typically attributable to diminishing endocrine functions. However, numerous psychological complaints can also arise. These primarily include irritability, despondency, low mood, lapses of concentration, and anxiety, often accompanied by the psychosomatic complaints of disturbed sleep and digestive disorders. Sexual problems may arise as a result not of depleted hormones, but of the lack of self esteem and general apathy psychological and psychosomatic symptoms may compound.

This observation study specifically investigated the clinical efficacy of the Hypericum LI160 extract in relieving the psychological, psychosomatic and sexual problems experienced by a group of 111 menopausal and post-menopausal women over a 3-month period.

Severity of all vasomotor, psychological and psychosomatic symptoms was assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale, at 4, 8 and 12 week intervals, whilst sexuality and libido were similarly evaluated, but as separate questionnaire items.

Marked improvement was reported both in terms of the frequency and severity of a wide range of symptoms, some of which Hypericum extracts had not hitherto been understood to relieve. This study further reinforces the findings of recent clinical trials in which the benefits of Hypericum extracts in the restoration of emotional and physical well-being have been clearly demonstrated.