REVIEW: Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of a Special Extract of Rheum rhaponticum L. (ERr 731) in Reducing Hot Flushes and Other Menopausal Symptoms

Menopausal symptoms can start several years before menopause and last for 5 years (or more) afterwards and negatively impact daily living and well-being. To date, the most effective and reliable therapy for menopausal vasomotor symptoms (e.g., hot flushes, night sweats) is hormone therapy (HT). But many women are either hesitant to consider this option or are not candidates for HT due the increased risk of hormone-related cancers and cardiovascular disease. Even in ideal circumstances, HT is still not recommended as a long-term therapy, and is primarily indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms. And natural therapies, such as phytoestrogens or black cohosh, may offer a higher degree of safety, but have shown a varying degree of clinical success and lack adequate scientific support that demonstrates a high degree of efficacy.