Postmenopausal vaginal atrophy relieved by fennel cream

[See below for update on fennel and menopausal symptoms in general.] The irritation, dryness, itching and dyspareunia (painful intercourse) of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy can be relieved by fennel cream without side effects as demonstrated by research recently published in (Maturitas, The European Menopause Journal). The authors state:

"Vaginal atrophy is one of the main concerns of postmenopausal women. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of fennel vaginal cream on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women ..."

Their study cohort was divided into two equal groups, one of whom received a fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) 5% vaginal cream and the other a placebo cream. These were administered once per day for 8 weeks. Vaginal atrophy symptoms was measured at the beginning and again at 2, 4, and 8 weeks; and vaginal pH and the maturation vaginal index (MVI) were measured at the start and at 8 weeks. The fennel cream performed remarkably well:

"The number of superficial cells increased significantly in the fennel group after 8 weeks compared to the control group (76.1 ± 15.3 vs. 11.8 ± 8). The number of intermediate and parabasal cells decreased significantly in the fennel group compared to the control group. The vaginal pH decreased significantly at the 8-week follow-up in the fennel group compared to the control group (100% vs. 7.4%). All women in the fennel group had an MVI of 65–100 at the 8-week follow-up, whereas almost half (40.7%) of the women in the control group had an MVI of 50–64."

Quoted in Medscape Medical News, Dr. Parvin Abedi from Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz stated:

"The most exciting results were improving the vaginal maturation index and vaginal atrophy. Dyspareunia was improved also in participants. Since Iranian postmenopausal women do not accept the hormone therapy because of its potential risk factors, using fennel will be a good alternative for them..."recommendation for using fennel less frequently needs more evidence-based research. However, we think that it will be work if women use it for 8 weeks and then reduce the usage to 2-3 times a week."

The authors of this welcome research paper conclude:

"According to results of this study, fennel is an effective means to manage the symptoms of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women and is devoid of side effects."

Update on fennel and menopause: benefit for general menopausal symptoms

A study just published in the journal Menopause offers further evidence that fennel can be effective for menopausal symptoms in general. In a triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 90 postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to treatment with soft capsules containing 100 mg fennel or placebo. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) questionnaire was used to assess changes in menopausal symptoms at the start; and at 4, 8, and 10 weeks after. The fennel treatment performed very well:

"The groups recorded similar mean scores on the MRS questionnaire before intervention. After intervention, the treatment group showed a significant decrease in the mean MRS score. The results of the Friedman test showed significant differences between the mean score at baseline and those at 4, 8, and 10 weeks after onset of intervention in the treatment group, whereas there were no significant differences in the placebo group. When the fennel and the placebo groups were compared, the independent t test showed significant differences in mean scores between groups at 4, 8, and 10 weeks (2 weeks postintervention).

The authors conclude:

"Fennel is an effective and safe treatment to reduce menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women without serious side effects."