Collis Williams

 

 

Dr Nyjon. K. Eccles BSc MBBS PhD MRCP

IntroductionMenopause can be a challenging stage of life. Hot flashes are associated with a decreased quality of life (Groeneveld et al, 1996) and are a primary reason that midlife women seek medical care (Anderson et al, 1987). According to a recent Gallup Poll, 80 percent of menopausal, post menopausal or surgically menopausal women reported having some symptoms of menopause. Among the women who had symptoms, the most common were: hot flashes (72%), irregular periods (50%), emotional responses (49%), changes in sexual relationship (31%). The LadyCare DeviceThe LadyCare (LC, see photo A below of the device) magnetic device is designed for attachment to the underwear by magnetic force. LC is plastic coated and is comprised of two parts. The pear-shaped piece is worn inside of the ladies? underwear, directly against the pelvis. The LC contains a 20-mm x 5-mm iron neodymium-boron magnet within the pear-shaped piece.
A . B. The second part is a circular plastic case that contains a neodymium-boron magnet with directional plate adherent to its outside. This second part positioned on the outside of the underwear (as shown in B) attaching securely with the force of the magnetic field (manufacturer�s patent). This patented directional plate increases the magnetic power of the negative pole (standard scientific notation) of the magnetic field into the body.

ResultsTwenty three different symptoms rated were rated in this way (see Table 1 below). Patients were instructed to wear the device 24 hours a day (except during bathing) for the duration of the 3 months. Results were analysed by an independent statistician.

 
Table 1

Median Level Symptom level change after LC

% Symptom Reduction achieved after LC

Time to achieve maximum reduction of symptom (months)

Hot flashes

3 to 2

33%

1

Heart palpitations (feeling your heart racing)

1 to 0

*

2

Irritability

3 to 2

33%

1

Mood swings, sudden tears

3 to 1.5

50%

2

Loss of libido, sex drive

3 to 2

33%

2

Anxiety

3 to 1

67%

3

Marked fatigue

4 to 2

50%

3

Feelings of doom, dread

3 to 1

67%

2

Vaginal dryness

2 to 1

50%

1

Inability to concentrate

3 to 2

33%

1

Trouble sleeping

4 to 2

50%

2

Urinary incontinence upon sneezing, laughing

2 to 1

50%

1

Itchy, crawly skin

1.5 to 0

*

2

Sudden weight gain

3 to 1

67%

3

Hair loss

0 to 0

–

–

Stomach problems: indigestion and gas

3 to 0

100%

2

Painful and sore muscles, tendons and joints

3 to 2

33%

2

Breast soreness, tenderness

2 to 1

50%

1

Irregular vaginal bleeding

1 to 0

*

1

Disturbing lapses of memory

3 to 2

33%

1

Increased muscle tension

3 to 1

67%

2

Painful intercourse

1 to 0

*

1

Bladder infections

0 to 0

–

–
As it appears from the median score values, shown in the table above the benefits from LC became apparent from the first month of use. In particular, for each symptom a highly statistically significant finding (p<10-5) was obtained after the 1st month of use, indicating that the level of suffering was reported to be highly statistically significantly lower after the use of LC.  
Summary of Findings
508 subjects rated their menopause symptoms on a 5 point scale prior to and after at 1, 2 and 3 months after wearing the LC device. 23 of the most common symptoms were rated Average age of respondents was 49.7 ? 0.199[1] years Median duration of menopause was 2.1 (1.3, 2.5)[2] years 21 of 23 symptoms were reduced highly statistically significantly (p< 10-4) after the 1st month of use of LC.The graphs show that symptom relief was maintained after 3 months of use.The other 2 symptoms were rated as zero across the group to begin with and so no change could be determined in this cohort
Women reported that the following symptoms were reduced by 50 to 67% across the group:
Anxiety Feelings of Doom Sudden weight gain Increased Muscle tension Mood swings Marked Fatigue Vaginal Dryness Trouble Sleeping Urinary Incontinence Breast tenderness/soreness Stomach problems (bloating and gas) – reduced 100%
Women reported that the following symptoms were reduced by 33% across the group:
Hot flashes Irritability Loss of Libido/Sex drive Inability to concentrate Painful sore muscles Disturbing lapses of memory
Table 1 shows the exact reported level of reduction in all the 23 symptoms in the group. The above may be best represented graphically as below.
 

8.1% of women surveyed had had a hysterectomy. This did not seem to affect the response to LC. There was no statistical difference in reduction of symptoms between those who still had a uterus and those that did not.

7.1% of women surveyed were taking HRT. This did not seem to affect the response to LC. There was no statistical difference in reduction of symptoms between those who were taking HRT and those that were not.

19.1% of the group lost weight. Median weight loss was 14 pounds (8, 17 pounds)[3] over the 3 months.

29% of women reported a return of their periods after using LC.
 
Comment:This study was designed as a consumer survey. The results are consistent with a large body of anecdotal evidence received from women who reported a reduction of their menopause symptoms after using the LC device. On the basis of these encouraging results a formal placebo-controlled trial is now being planned. As part of the latter, we will assess female pituitary and ovarian hormone profiles to investigate possible mechanisms of action.
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Eccles N.K (2005). A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study to Investigate the Effectiveness of a Static Magnet to Relieve Dysmenorrhea. Accepted for publication. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicne, 11 (4): pp
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Herrington DM, Reboussin DM, et al. Effects of estrogen replacement on the progression of coronary-artery atherosclerosis. N Engl J Med 2000; 343: 522-529
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Mulnard RA, Cotman CW, et al. Estrogen replacement therapy for treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. JAMA 2000; 283: 1007-1015
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[1] (mean ? SE)[2] (25th, 75th quartiles)[3] (25th, 75th quartiles)
 
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