Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of menopausal symptoms

  • Feature Article
  • Published:
Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A large number of women will pass through menopause each year. Women in menopausal transition experience a variety of menopausal symptoms. Although hormonal therapy remains the most effective treatment, side effects have been reported by several large studies. An increased number of women seek the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for treating menopausal symptoms. This review analyzes the evidence from systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials and epidemiological studies of using herbal medicine (Black cohosh, Dong quai, St John’s wart, Hops, Wild yam, Ginseng, and evening primrose oil) and acupuncture for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of most CAM for relief of menopausal symptoms are limited. Future larger and better controlled studies testing the effectiveness of these treatments are needed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gold EB, Bromberger J, Crawford S, Samuels S, Greendale GA, Harlow SD, et al. Factors associated with age at natural menopause in a multiethnic sample of midlife women. Am J Epidemiol 2001;153:865–874.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Meng FT, Wang YL, Liu J, Zhao J, Liu RY, Zhou JN. ApoE genotypes are associated with age at natural menopause in Chinese females. Age (Dordr) 2011 July 27 (Epub ahead of print). Available from URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21792545

  3. McKinlay SM, Brambilla DJ, Posner JG. The normal menopause transition. Maturitas 2008;61:4–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Borrelli F, Ernst E. Alternative and complementary therapies for the menopause. Maturitas 2010;66:333–343.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. World Health Organisation Scientific Group. Research on the menopause. Vol. 670. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organisation Technical Report Series; 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Nelson HD. Menopause. Lancet 2008;371:760–770.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Taylor HS, Manson JE. Update in hormone therapy use in menopause. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2011;96:255–264.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Santen RJ, Allred DC, Ardoin SP, Archer DF, Boyd N, Braunstein GD, et al; Endocrine Society. Postmenopausal hormone therapy: an Endocrine Society scientific statement. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010;95(7 Suppl 1):s1–s66.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Million Women Study Collaborators. Breast cancer and hormone-replacement therapy in the Million Women Study. Lancet 2003;362:419–427.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Million Women Study Collaborators. Endometrial cancer and hormone-replacement therapy in the Million Women Study. Lancet 2005;365:1543–1551.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Manson JE, Hsia J, Johnson KC, Rossouw JE, Assaf AR, Lasser NL, et al; Women’s Health Initiative Investigators. Estrogen plus progestin and the risk of coronary heart disease. N Engl J Med 2003;349:523–534.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Wassertheil-Smoller S, Hendrix SL, Limacher M, Heiss G, Kooperberg C, Baird A, et al; WHI Investigators. Effect of estrogen plus progestin on stroke in postmenopausal women: the Women’s Health Initiative: a randomized trial. JAMA 2003;289:2673–2684.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Nelson HD, Vesco KK, Haney E, Fu R, Nedrow A, Miller J, et al. Nonhormonal therapies for menopausal hot flashes: systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA 2006;295:2057–2071.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Upchurch DM, Chyu L, Greendale GA, Complementary and alternative medicine use among American women: findings from The National Health Interview Survey. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2007;16:102–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Vickers K, Jolly KB, Greenfield SM. Herbal medicine: women’s views, knowledge and interaction with doctors: a qualitative study. BMC Complement Altern Med 2006;6:40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. What is complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)? National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. Available from: URL: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/

  17. Nuntanakorn P, Jiang B, Einbond LS, Yang H, Kronenberg F, Weinstein IB, et al. Polyphenolic constituents of Actaea racemosa. J Nat Prod 2006;69:314–318.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Bodinet C, Freudenstein J. Influence of Cimicifuga racemosa on the proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive human breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2002;76:1–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Borrelli F, Ernst E. Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) for menopausal symptoms: a systematic review of its efficacy. Pharmacol Res 2008;58:8–14

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Geller SE, Shulman LP, van Breemen RB, Banuvar S, Zhou Y, Epstein G, et al. Safety and efficacy of black cohosh and red clover for the management of vasomotor symptoms: a randomized controlled trial. Menopause 2009;16:1156–11566.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Whiting PW, Clouston A, Kerlin P. Black cohosh and other herbal remedies associated with acute hepatitis. Med J Aust 2002;177:440–443

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Naser B, Schnitker J, Minkin MJ, DeArriba SG, Nolte K-U, Osmers R. Suspected black cohosh hepatotoxicity: no evidence by meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials for isopropanolic black cohosh extract. Menopause 2011;18:366–375.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Mahady GB, Low Dog T, Barrett ML, Chavez ML, Gardiner P, Ko R, et al. United States Pharmacopeia review of the black cohosh case reports of hepatotoxicity. Menopause 2008;15:628–638.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Chang H-M, But PPH, eds. Yao S-C, Wang L-L, Yeung SCS, translators. Pharmacology and applications of Chinese materia medica. Vol 1. Singapore: World Scientific, 1986:489–505.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Hirata JD, Swiersz LM, Zell B, Small R, Ettinger B. Does dong quai have estrogenic effects in postmenopausal women? A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Fertil Steril 1997;68:981–986.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Kupfersztain C, Rotem C, Fagot R, Kaplan B. The immediate effect of natural plant extract. Angelica sinensis and Matricaria chamomilla (Climex) for the treatment of hot flushes during menopause. A preliminary report. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol 2003;30:203–206.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Rotem C, Kaplan B. Phyto-Female Complex for the relief of hot flushes, night sweats and quality of sleep: randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study. Gynecol Endocrinol 2007;23:117–122.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Haines CJ, Lam PM, Chung TK, Cheng KF, Leung PC. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effect of a Chinese herbal medicine preparation (Dang Gui Buxue Tang) on menopausal symptoms in Hong Kong Chinese women. Climacteric 2008;11:244–251.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Al-Akoum M, Maunsell E, Verreault R, Provencher L, Otis H, Dodin S. Effects of Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) on hot flashes and quality of life in perimenopausal women: a randomized pilot trial. Menopause 2009;16:307–314.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. van Die MD, Burger HG, Bone KM, Cohen MM, Teede HJ. Hypericum perforatum with Vitex agnus-castus in menopausal symptoms: a randomized, controlled trial. Menopause 2009;16:156–163.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Abdali K, Khajehei M, Tabatabaee HR. Effect of St John’s wort on severity, frequency, and duration of hot flashes in premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Menopause 2010;17:326–331.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Heyerick A, Vervarcke S, Depypere H, Bracke M, De Keukeleire D. A first prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the use of a standardized hop extract to alleviate menopausal discomforts. Maturitas 2006;54:164–175.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Erkkola R, Vervarcke S, Vansteelandt S, Rompotti P, De Keukeleire D, Heyerick A. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over pilot study on the use of a standardized hop extract to alleviate menopausal discomforts, Phytomedicine 2010;17:389–396.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Geller S, Studee L. Contemporary alternatives to plant estrogens for menopause. Maturitas 2006;55(Suppl 1):3–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Wu WH, Liu LY, Chung CJ, Jou HJ, Wang TA. Estrogenic effect of yam ingestion in healthy postmenopausal women. J Am Coll Nutr 2005;24:235–243.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Komesaroff PA, Black CV, Cable V, Sudhir K. Effects of wild yam extract on menopausal symptoms, lipids and sex hormones in healthy menopausal women. Climacteric 2001;4:144–150.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Wiklund IK, Mattsson LA, Lindgren R, Limoni C. Effects of a standardized ginseng extract on quality of life and physiological parameters in symptomatic postmenopausal women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Swedish Alternative Medicine Group. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1999;19:89–99.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Bayles B, Usatine R. Evening primrose oil. Am Fam Physician 2009;80:1405–1408.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Chenoy R, Hussain S, Tayob Y, O’Brien PM, Moss MY, Morse PF. Effect of oral gamolenic acid from evening primrose oil on menopausal flushing. BMJ 1994;308:501–503.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. NIH consensus conference. Acupuncture. JAMA 1998;280:1518–1524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Avis NE, Legault C, Coeytaux RR, Pian-Smith M, Shifren JL, Chen W, et al. A randomized, controlled pilot study of acupuncture treatment for menopausal hot flashes. Menopause 2008;15:1070–1078.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Vincent A, Barton DL, Mandrekar JN, Cha SS, Zais T, Wahner-Roedler DL, et al. Acupuncture for hot flashes: a randomized, sham-controlled clinical study. Menopause 2007;14:45–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Wyon Y, Wijma K, Nedstrand E, Hammar M. A comparison of acupuncture and oral estradiol treatment of vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women. Climacteric 2004;7:153–164.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Kim DI, Roh JJ, Choi MS, Lee SD, Roh JW, Yoon SH, et al. A clinical trial to assess the efficacy of acupuncture on hot flashes in postmenopausal women. Korean J Orient Med 2007;28:74–85.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Wyon Y, Lindgren R, Lundeberg T, Hammar M. Effects of acupuncture on climacteric vasomotor symptoms, quality of life and urinary excretion of neuropeptides among postmenopausal women. Menopause 1995;2:3–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Cho SH, Whang WW. Acupuncture for vasomotor menopausal symptoms: a systematic review, Menopause 2009;16:1065–1073.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusettes, 02111, USA

    Chong Shou, Justin Li & Zitao Liu

Authors
  1. Chong Shou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Justin Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zitao Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zitao Liu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shou, C., Li, J. & Liu, Z. Complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 17, 883–888 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-011-0932-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-011-0932-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation