Since hormone replacement drugs such as estrogen have been shown to increase the risk of tumors, many women have stopped taking them. The result? They've had to endure hot flashes and the other symptoms associated with menopause.
Now, however, there is an alternative to prescription drugs called MF101. It is a combination of 21 Chinese herbs and is designed for the treatment of hot flashes and nigh sweats in peri-menopausal and menopausal women.
No increased risk of breast or uterine tumors
MF101 was developed by the company, Bionova. Bionova believes that MF101 exerts effects on only one of the two known estrogen receptors. As a result, it can provide relief from symptomatic vasomotor symptoms while minimizing side effects. The compound has been studied in animals and did not either adversely alter reproductive hormones or promote tumor formation in the breast uterus. This suggests that the risk of neither breast or uterine will be increased by the use of MF101.
How MF101 works
Bionova says that MF101 attaches to receptors on a woman's cells, triggering a genetic response that tends to limit hot flashes. According to an early-stage study of 22 post-menopausal women published in the November issue of the journal, Endocrinology, MF101, unlike estrogen, doesn't activate a type of receptor linked to cancerous growths.
Phase 2 trial under way
There is currently an MF101 Phase 2 trial under way that is designed to evaluate the effects of 2 doses of MF101 to treat hot flashes in post-menopausal women., San Francisco. The Principal Investigator is Dr. Deborah Grady at the University of California. The primary outcome measures are the changes in both the frequency and severity of hot flashes from baseline to 12 weeks.
While it is still too early to say that MF101 is a better and safer answer to the symptoms of menopause, the results of its Phase 1 study suggest that this combination of natural Chinese herbs is one to watch.
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