Objective: To compare by meta-analysis the efficacy and adverse events of Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's Wort), or its combinations, and placebo for menopausal women.
Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out by searching in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase and the Web of Science database.
Results: Extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. and its combination with herbs were significantly superior to placebo (standard mean difference = -1.08; 95% confidence interval -1.38 to -0.77); extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. proved to be more effective than placebo in the treatment of menopause. Adverse events occurred in 53 (17.4%) patients on Hypericum perforatum L. preparations and 45 (15.4%) patients on placebo (relative risk = 1.16; 95% confidence interval 0.81-1.66).
Conclusion: Extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. have possibly fewer side-effects than placebo for the treatment of menopausal women.
Keywords: EFFICACY; HYPERICUM PERFORATUM L; MENOPAUSE; META-ANALYSIS; SAFETY.