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Effect of Fenugreek on Milk Production (fenugreek)

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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00851591
Recruitment Status : Terminated (Low enrollment; investigator chose not to continue study)
First Posted : February 26, 2009
Results First Posted : July 28, 2014
Last Update Posted : June 26, 2018
Sponsor:
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Study Description
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Brief Summary:

Each year, approximately 3 million mothers in the USA alone leave the hospital breastfeeding an infant. However, a large number discontinue breastfeeding, because milk synthesis is poor or simply stops. Termed "Insufficient Milk Syndrome," this condition probably accounts for approximately 5-10% of the total population of breastfeeding mothers and includes many mothers with premature infants, mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome, and a myriad of other unknown causes. The mother's inability to breastfeed causes enormous feelings of inadequacy, grief, depression, and other problems, not to mention increased health risks to the infant.

The most popular herbal remedy used around the world for increasing milk synthesis is fenugreek. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) is a seed product from the legume family that is commonly sold, since the dried, ripe seed and extracts are used as an artificial flavor for maple syrup. When used orally in amounts commonly found in foods, it has been granted Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the USA by the FDA. Although it is used by millions of women around the world to increase their milk supply, we have only one small case report which suggested it might actually increase the milk supply.

In this one study, the authors found an approximate 40% increase in milk production, although the study was not blinded, nor did they use a control population. For these reasons, we still do not know with certainty if fenugreek works as a galactagogue.

This study is designed to accurately determine if seven days of fenugreek will stimulate milk production in a selected group of subjects with poor milk supply. We hypothesize that the women enrolled in the test group will have increased milk production at the end of the 8-day study.


Condition or disease Intervention/treatment Phase
Lactation Drug: fenugreek Drug: Placebo (Psyllium) Not Applicable

Detailed Description:
This study is designed to accurately determine if seven days of fenugreek will stimulate milk production in a selected group of subjects with poor milk supply. We hypothesize that the women enrolled in the test group will have increased milk production at the end of the 8-day study.
Study Design
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Study Type : Interventional  (Clinical Trial)
Actual Enrollment : 3 participants
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Official Title: Effect of Fenugreek on Milk Production
Study Start Date : September 2008
Actual Primary Completion Date : August 2012
Actual Study Completion Date : August 2012

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Arms and Interventions
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Arm Intervention/treatment
Experimental: Fenugreek category 1
receive fenugreek
 Drug: fenugreek
3 capsules 3 times per day with a full glass of water each dose for 7 days
Other Name: Trigonella foenum-graecum, Alhova, Bird's Foot, Greek Clover
Placebo Comparator: Placebo Category 2
receive placebo
 Drug: Placebo (Psyllium)
3 capsules 3 times a day with a full glass of water each dose for 7 days
Other Names:
  • Metamucil®,
  • Hydrocil Instant®,
  • Modane Bulk Powder®


Outcome Measures
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Primary Outcome Measures :
  1. The Main Outcome Variable of This Study is the Quantity of Milk Produced. [ Time Frame: "Day 0" , "Day 8" ]
    The single value of this variable was calculated average from day 0 and day 8.


Secondary Outcome Measures :
  1. Secondary Outcome Variables Are to Include Milk-fat Content and Protein Content. [ Time Frame: day 0; day 8 ]

    Milk-fat content was not measured in these samples as we had decided to close the study.

    Protein content was not measured in these samples as we had decided to close the study.



Eligibility Criteria
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Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years to 45 Years   (Adult)
Sexes Eligible for Study:   Female
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Mothers 2-12 weeks postpartum
  • Mothers with term infants 37 weeks gestation or older
  • Mothers with poor milk supply documented by professional lactation consultants
  • Mothers whose milk supply is less than 600 cc per 24 hours
  • Mothers who agree not to breastfeed or provide their milk to their infants during this study

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Mothers with documented mastitis
  • Mothers with breast engorgement
  • Mothers with inverted nipples
  • Maternal BMI greater than 35
  • Mothers currently consuming Reglan, Domperidone or other drugs/herbals used to induce milk production

  • Mothers who are clinically ill or hospitalized, or taking the following medications:

    1. Diuretics
    2. Pseudoephedrine
    3. Anticholinergics
    4. Warfarin or any anticoagulant
    5. An estrogen-containing birth control pill
  • Mothers with Diabetes mellitus
  • Mothers who have had breast surgery that could alter milk synthesis or production
  • Mothers diagnosed with Polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Mothers with tubular breasts or breasts with insufficient glandular tissue
  • Mothers diagnosed with Asthma or atopic disease
  • Mothers who are known to be allergic to peanuts or soybeans
  • Mothers who are pregnant
  • Mothers whose milk supply per 24 hours exceeds 600 mL
  • Mothers with Obstetrical evaluation recommending exclusion
Contacts and Locations
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Information from the National Library of Medicine

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00851591


Locations
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United States, Texas
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
Amarillo, Texas, United States, 79106
Sponsors and Collaborators
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Investigators
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Study Director: Thomas W Hale, PhD Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
More Information
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Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):

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Responsible Party: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00851591    
Other Study ID Numbers: A08-3479
First Posted: February 26, 2009    Key Record Dates
Results First Posted: July 28, 2014
Last Update Posted: June 26, 2018
Last Verified: May 2018
Keywords provided by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center:
fenugreek
galactogogue
breastmilk
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Bird's Foot
 Greek Clover
Greek Hay
Hu Lu Ba
Trigonella
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
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Psyllium
Cathartics
Gastrointestinal Agents