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Is Amberen Safe For Breast Cancer Survivors

Medicine Versus The Placebo Effect

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There are a number of different medicines that your doctor might prescribe to help reduce and control hot flushes. But before taking any of these, there is something important to bear in mind.

When researchers want to find out how well a treatment works in a trial, they sometimes test it against a dummy treatment, or placebo. The people taking part in the trial dont know whether they are taking the new treatment or the placebo. Many of us feel better when taking something that we think will help.

In nearly all trials looking at treatment for hot flushes, people taking the placebo said that their flushes were reduced by about a fifth . It is important to bear this in mind when we are looking at other treatments. If a treatment reduces hot flushes by 20% or less, it may not be better than a placebo.

Where To Find It

Amberen can be purchased through the Official Website.

Product reviews are provided for informational purposes only and reflect solely the views and opinions expressed by the contributors and not those of Consumer Health Digest. We do not verify or endorse any claims made in these reviews. Please read the full product reviews disclaimer.

Clinical Evaluation Of Effectiveness And Safety Of Amberen And Smart B By Women With Climacteric Syndrome

The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
First Posted : April 18, 2017Last Update Posted : October 20, 2017
  • Study Details
Condition or disease
Dietary Supplement: AmberenDietary Supplement: Smart BDietary Supplement: Placebo Not Applicable
  • To evaluate effectiveness of combined use of dietary supplements Amberen and Smart B by women with a typical form of climacteric syndrome, with mild to moderate vegetative symptoms during perimenopause and menopause in regards to vasomotor, endocrine-metabolic, and neuro-psychological dysfunctions
  • To evaluate safety of combined use of dietary supplements Amberen and Smart B by women with a typical form of climacteric syndrome, with mild to moderate vegetative symptoms during perimenopause and menopause, lasting no less than 1 year in regards to vasomotor, endocrine-metabolic, and neuro-psychological dysfunctions
  • To develop recommendations for combined use of dietary supplements Amberen and Smart B for women with a typical form of climacteric syndrome, with mild to moderate vegetative symptoms during perimenopause and menopause .
  • Intervention/treatment
    Experimental: Amberen and Smart B

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    How Does Amberen Work

    Amberen is an effective supplement for menopause that contains certain ingredients that help regulate hormone production and, in turn, reduce the severity of common menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, weight gain, irritability and night sweats.

    While most women will experience one or more of these symptoms they can be extremely severe for some, requiring an effective and fast-acting solution.

    Other Symptoms Of Menopause

    The extent and severity of other symptoms varies from person to person and effects may be seen in both natural menopause and menopause brought on by breast cancer treatments. There are also many other causes for these symptoms. Other symptoms of menopause include:

  • mood changes such as anxiety, depression and irritability
  • tiredness
  • poor memory and poor concentration
  • muscle and joint aches
  • vaginal dryness
  • reduced interest in sex
  • Menopause also increases the risk of heart disease, osteopenia and osteoporosis .

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    How Does Amberen Menopause Help Manage Weight Gain During Menopause

    Amberen Menopause is not a weight loss product. Amberen Menopauses most recent clinical studies have shown that it helps manage weight gain during menopause when taken as recommended for 90 days. It is recommended that Amberen Menopause be taken in combination with enjoying a healthy diet and exercise.

    Who Should Not Take Amberen Menopause

    Amberen Menopause is not intended for use by pregnant or nursing women. Do not take it if you have severe hypertension. Clinical studies did not reveal any adverse side effects associated with Amberen Menopause. However, discontinue use and consult your doctor if you have any adverse reactions. Consult with your doctor before taking Amberen if you have a medical condition, are taking medication, or if youve had a hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy.

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    Clinical Studies Of Amberen Perimenopause

    The website shows a timeline on its clinical history page summarizing Amberen studies, including an AP-specific 180-day study of 105 women in perimenopause in 2020.

    However, the study that used AP specifically could not be found in PubMed even with help from a company representative.

    Because AP is so like the original formula, Amberen Menopause, its worth sharing the following studies.

    A study in 2007 with Amberen involved both mice and a randomized control trial of 70 women.

    Results of the mice portion of the study were favorable, with improvements in skin, coat, and fertility.

    In the human portion, the Amberen test group showed increases in blood serum estradiol and favorable decreases in other menopause-related symptoms.

    Another 2019 review pooled the information from two identical 90-day studies, with a total of 114 postmenopausal women in the treatment group.

    Significant improvements were reported in 15 symptoms during the study.

    One of the researchers was a paid staff member of Biogix, Inc, the company that owns the rights to Amberen.

    Summary:

    There is some evidence available to support APs efficacy and safety using the studies from their original formula. However, its unclear why the studies for this product are not available for review.

    Is Amberen Menopause Fda Approved

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    Amberen Menopause is a clinically tested dietary supplement that is subject to and complies with the laws of the United States, including those enforced by the Food and Drug Administration . Regulation of dietary supplements in the U.S. is the responsibility of the FDA. See for more information about the FDAs regulation of dietary supplements.

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    Amino Acids: Monosodium L

    Monosodium l-glutamate is a component of glutamic acid or glutamate, a non-essential amino acid.

    Glutamate is a neurotransmitter a molecule that signals nerve cells use to signal other cells. Amino acids are sometimes thought to help ease menopause symptoms.

    This 2015 study of female mice indicated that glutamic acid had estrogenic and bone density increasing effects. The study also indicated that the glutamic acid suppressed body weight gain and vaginal atrophy.

    Glycine is another non-essential amino acid that is an important neurotransmitter.

    Glycine is thought to aid in sleep, which is known to be affected by the dysregulation of body temperature.

    In this 2015 rat study, glycine was shown to have a hypothermic effect, lowering body temperature, which improved the animals quality of sleep.

    Summary:

    Considering that the studies on glutamate and glycine are based on animals, more human studies are needed to validate their use.

    Positive Feelings At Menopause

    For some women, menopause is a time of positive change. Feelings of relief at not having to deal with periods, premenstrual symptoms and contraception are common. Often children are growing up and leaving home and this may provide more time for women to spend with their partners and increased opportunities for intimacy.

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    How Does Relizen Work

    Relizen acts like an internal thermostat to regain the bodys natural ability to manage its temperature without hormonal symptoms. The product takes time to work. In clinical experiments, the majority of women experienced a substantial rise in the intensity and frequency of hot flashes and night sweats over three months.

    The survey results indicate that relief increases with extended use. Therefore, the companys doctors advise you to take Relizen every day for at least three months to get the best results.

    Effects On Memory And Concentration

    During or after cancer treatment some people find it difficult to concentrate, or feel more forgetful. This is known as cognitive impairment.

    Many women who are menopausal also find it harder to remember and recall things as well as they did before.

    Tiredness, anxiety and changes to your sleep pattern can also cause you to become forgetful and stop you feeling mentally sharp.

    It can be difficult to be sure what is causing these memory problems and this can be hard to cope with when you are trying to get back to normal.

    If you are concerned, talk to your GP or treatment team.

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    How Soon Should I Notice Symptom Relief

    You should start noticing reductions in the frequency and severity of your menopausal symptoms within the first 30 days. For best results, daily use is clinically recommended for at least 90 days.* If your progress is slower than expected, dont get discouraged.

    Consult NurseAid with any questions at 211-8021 Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. 7 p.m., Eastern Standard Time

    Consider making Amberen Menopause a part of your daily regimen to manage your symptoms and maintain hormonal balance during menopause.*

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    Vaginal Therapies That Dont Contain Hormones

    A non-hormonal option for vaginal symptoms is an estrogen-free vaginal moisturizer .

    These products are different from vaginal lubricants , which only make the vaginal area slippery, rather than moisturized.

    Moisturizers need to be used regularly , rather than just around the time of intercourse. Since they dont contain estrogen, theyre safe for women whove had breast cancer.

    Vaginal moisturizers are available over the counter .

    Talk with your health care provider about the benefits and risks for each of these options.

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    Can I Still Get Pregnant

    Even if you stop having periods and experience menopausal symptoms, you may still be fertile and could become pregnant. You may also still be fertile even if you are going through the menopause, as your ovaries might not have stopped working completely.

    If you are unsure about your fertility or menopausal status, talk to your treatment team or GP, who can discuss contraception where appropriate.

    Sometimes your treatment team may suggest having a series of blood tests to check if you are pre or postmenopausal, but this isnt appropriate or accurate for everyone and will depend on where you are in your treatment.

    For some women, having an early menopause may mean coming to terms with the possibility of being infertile. This can be very difficult to cope with, especially if youre considering starting a family or having more children.

    Find out more about breast cancer and fertility.

    Q: Does Amberen Help With Bloating And Weight Gain

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    A: Amberen isnt a weight loss product, but they claim it helps prevent weight gain. According to the manufacturer, Amberen Menopauses most recent clinical studies have shown that it helps manage weight gain during menopause when taken as recommended for 90 days. It is recommended that Amberen Menopause be taken in combination with enjoying a healthy diet and exercise.

    Amberen helps provide multiple symptom menopause relief for hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, low energy, menopause weight gain and more

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    What Symptoms Does Amberen Menopause Help With

    Amberen Menopause provides single relief for common menopause symptoms. Symptom relief includes the following: hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, low energy and fatigue, sleeplessness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, menopausal headaches and stress, lack of sexual interest, muscle and joint aches, plus menopausal weight gain.

    Coping With Hot Flushes And Sweats

    To reduce the number or intensity of flushes, you can try the following suggestions:

    • cut out coffee, tea and nicotine
    • keep your room cool use a fan if necessary
    • spray your face with a cool water atomiser
    • wear several layers of light clothing you can easily take off or put back on
    • wear natural fibres such as silk or cotton instead of man-made fabrics
    • cut down on alcohol
    • sip cold or iced drinks
    • have a lukewarm shower or bath instead of a hot one
    • put a towel on your bed so you can easily change it if you sweat a lot at night
    • if taking tamoxifen, you could try taking half the dose in the morning and half in the evening – but check with your doctor first
    • acupuncture

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    Intimacy Sex And Breast Cancer

    Menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness as well as a decreased sex drive can affect new and existing relationships and your sex life.

    It may feel difficult or embarrassing talking about these problems, but it can help to discuss it with your treatment team or GP as they may be able to help.

    Cost And Where To Buy

    A one-month supply of Amberen Menopause costs about $30 on . It is available widely at most national retailers. The cost varies between $30$40 a month.

    A $7 printable coupon is available at Amberen.com if you sign up for their promotions.

    At about $1 per day, this may be worth the price for women to feel relief from symptoms of menopause, which can be severe and life-altering.

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    Relieving Menopausal Symptoms Without Hormone Therapy

    If you are having trouble with menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, talk to your doctor about other ways besides PHT to help with specific symptoms. Some women might want to try taking other, non-hormonal medicines to help with their symptoms. Others might want to try other methods first to see if they help.

    Losing weight: Some women find that losing weight helps with menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.

    Diet and dietary supplements: Some women find that changing the way they eat, such as eating smaller meals and avoiding triggers is helpful for them.

    The effects of specific foods and dietary supplements on menopausal symptoms are not clear. This doesnt mean they wont help, but its important to understand that the evidence supporting their use is limited.

    Phytoestrogens: These are estrogen-like substances found in certain plants, such as soy, red clover, and black cohosh. Some women take supplements containing these substances to try to help with symptoms of menopause.

    Eating soy foods seems to be safe for breast cancer survivors, although its not clear if it can help relieve menopause symptoms. Women can get higher doses of phytoestrogens in some dietary supplements . However, not enough is known about these supplements to know for sure if they are safe and if they work. If you are considering taking one of these supplements, be sure to talk with your doctor.

    Clinical Studies Of Amberen Menopause

    The Amberen websites clinical history page shows a timeline of studies involving AMs ingredients.

    However, many of the studies listed could not be found in common research databases. A representative told me that the only information available was already on their website.

    A study in 2007 with Amberen involved both mice and a randomized control trial of 70 women. Results of the mice portion of the study showed favorable outcomes, improving skin, coat, and fertility.

    The human portion showed sharp increases in blood serum estradiol as well as favorable subjective changes, including fewer headaches, less irritability, improved sleep, and fewer hot flashes.

    A 3-month randomized controlled study in 2016 involving 125 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women showed significant improvements in hormone levels, symptoms, anxiety. In addition, some women experienced decreases in waist circumference.

    Another 2019 review pooled the information from two identical 90-day studies, with a total of 114 postmenopausal women in the treatment group.

    Significant improvements were reported in 15 menopausal symptoms during the study.

    One of the researchers in this study was a paid staff member of Biogix, Inc, the company that owns the rights to Amberen.

    Summary:

    While these four studies seem valid, I am concerned about why all of the studies listed on their history page are not available for review. More long-term studies are also needed to validate the safety and efficacy of long-term use.

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    Diet Supplements And Plant

    Theres little evidence that diet supplements or plant-based remedies reduce hot flashes or vaginal symptoms.

    Randomized controlled trials of the following dietary supplements have found no benefit over a placebo for hot flashes or vaginal symptoms :

    • Black cohosh
    For a summary of research studies on other supplements for menopausal symptoms, visit the Breast Cancer Research section.

    Hot Flushes And Sweats In Women

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    Cancer or cancer treatment can lower the sex hormones in the body. This can lead to hot flushes and sweats.

    Hot flushes are one of the most common symptoms women have when they go through the menopause. But hot flushes can also happen because of treatment for cancer.

    Women having a natural menopause usually find hot flushes become less frequent and less severe during the 5 years after their last period.

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    How Amberen Menopause Compares To Alternatives

    While many other supplements claim to treat menopause symptoms, Amberen claims that no other supplements contain their proprietary ingredients.

    I couldnt find any generic versions of the product.

    Another popular menopause supplement on the market is Estroven Complete Menopause Relief. It uses only one ingredient Rhapontic Rhubarb Extract ERr731.

    Variations of this root extract have been used in Germany since the 1950s and are thought to work by mimicking hormones that may be reduced in women in menopause.

    The effectiveness and safety of Estroven Complete Menopause Relief are documented in a review, with only 124 adverse reactions reported in a 20-year period in Germany.

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    Vaginal Therapies That Contain Hormones

    Hormonal options for the relief of vaginal symptoms include:

    • An estrogen-containing soft ring
    • Vaginal estrogen suppositories
    • Vaginal estrogen cream

    Vaginal estrogen rings and suppositories may slightly increase blood estrogen levels, but for only a short time .

    Creams may slightly increase blood estrogen levels for a longer time . If your breast cancer was hormone receptor-positive, using a vaginal estrogen ring or vaginal estrogen suppositories is preferred over a vaginal estrogen cream .

    Talk with your health care provider about whether these products may be safe options for you. All require a prescription.

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