Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Menopause

• Published in: Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine Vol. 24; p. 2515690X19829380
• Main Authors: Johnson, Alisa, Roberts, Lynae, Elkins, Gary
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.01.2019; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Alternative medicine; Body temperature; Clinical significance; Cognitive functioning; Complementary Therapies - methods; Efficacy; Emotional disorders; Female; Health care; Hot Flashes - psychology; Hot Flashes - therapy; Humans; Hypnosis; Literature reviews; Medical personnel; Menopause; Menopause - physiology; Mind and body; Mind-Body Therapies; Sexual disorders; Sleep disorders; Symptom management; Symptoms; Weight gain; Women; symptoms; menopause; complementary and alternative medicine; review; hot flashes
• ISSN: 2515-690X; 2515-690X
• DOI: 10.1177/2515690X19829380

Menopause is associated with problematic symptoms, including hot flashes, sleep problems, mood disorders, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and declines in cognitive functioning. Many women seek complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for symptom management. This article critically reviews the existing literature on CAM treatments most commonly used for menopausal symptoms. Electronic searches were conducted to identify relevant, English-language literature published through March 2017. Results indicate that mind and body practices may be of benefit in reducing stress and bothersomeness of some menopausal symptoms. In particular, hypnosis is a mind-body intervention that has consistently shown to have a clinically significant effect on reducing hot flashes. Evidence is mixed in regard to the efficacy of natural products and there are some safety concerns. Health care providers should consider the evidence on CAM in providing an integrative health approach to menopausal symptom management.