The benefits of purified cytoplasm of pollen in reducing menopausal symptoms in peri- and post-menopause: an Italian multicenter prospective observational study

BACKGROUND Purified Cytoplasm of Pollen (PCP) is a non-hormonal herbal remedy used to manage vasomotor symptoms (VMS), sleep and mood disorders in menopausal women not relying on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Many studies demonstrated its efficacy and safety in post-menopause but few data are available about peri-menopause. METHODS This is a multicentre prospective observational study on Italian symptomatic women in peri- and post-menopause referring to gynaecology clinics of different areas of Italy, evaluating the effects of PCP therapy on hot flashes (HFs) and other parameters included in the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS). RESULTS We recruited 108 peri- and post-menopausal women (mean age 53.8 ± 4 yrs), evaluating them at baseline (V0) and after 3 months of PCP treatment (V1). Basal median value of all items of GCS did not differ among all subjects. We found a significant improvement of HFs (p< 0.0001) and night sweats (p< 0.0001) between V0 and V1. Additionally, all items of GCS apart from loss of sensitivity to limbs (p=0.0746) significantly ameliorated after PCP therapy (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS According to these findings, PCP may be considered as an efficacious alternative non-hormonal treatment for the management of VMS as well as mood and sleep disturbances in both peri- and post-menopause.