Perimenopause is the pre-menopause period of hormonal change that usually hits women in their 40s – and it can last anywhere from a few months to 10 years.
Perimenopause symptoms often include hot flushes, mood changes, disrupted sleep, anxiety, fatigue and vaginal dryness, and, for many women, experiencing this pre-menopausal stage can feel scary, uncomfortable and cause extra stress as they try to come to terms with changes within their body. No wonder lots of us are looking for natural ways to soothe our symptoms.
A new study could offer hope. Research published in the Journal of Menopausal Medicine found that perimenopausal women who took a branded saffron extract (Affron from Pharmactive Biotech) twice a day for 12 weeks reported a reduction in their hormonal symptoms.
Saffron has traditionally been used to soothe complaints related to the eye, skin, and respiratory system as well as for labour pains and its mood-enhancing affects. There's also an increasing body of evidence supporting its mood enhancement, and relaxation effects, in adults.
For this latest study though, participants experiencing perimenopause took ether 14mg of saffron extract – or the same amount of a placebo – twice a day for 12 weeks to see what impact it might have, and were asked to self-report on physical and psychological symptoms associated with the transition into menopause.
The study found that by week 12, subjects taking saffron saw a 32% reduction in their symptoms, while the placebo group saw a 14% reduction. The report showed a 33% reduction in the anxiety scores and 32% reduction in depression scores after 12 weeks.
Plus, further research, measuring positive and negative affect, showed that subjects taking the saffron extract, compared to the placebo, had fewer emotional problems, less fatigue, and better overall emotional well-being.
'This is the first study of Affron examining menopause symptoms in average perimenopausal women,' said Alberto Espinel, manager at Pharmactive, and he hopes it will open up a new category of support based on personalised nutrition supplements.
There is still some way to go with making this kind of treatment available to the public, however, it could mark a significant — and welcomed — breakthrough, for those struggling with perimenopause symptoms.
Until further information is released, there are still various support options available, so, if you need support and advice around perimenopause and menopause, contact your GP. You can read our guide to HRT here.
