Use of alternative and complementary medicine in menopause.
OBJECTIVE
To review the clinical evidence available for the treatment of menopausal symptoms with alternative and complementary medicine.


METHODS
The MEDLINE, PREMEDLINE and COCHRANE electronic databases for the years 1980-2002 were searched for articles concerning soy products, black cohosh, dong quai, acupuncture, ginseng and evening primrose oil. Studies pertaining to menopausal vasomotor symptoms, lipid profiles and bone mineral densities of postmenopausal women were included. The data from clinical trials were reviewed.


RESULTS
Soy isoflavones slightly decrease total cholesterol and LDL levels. The clinical significance of this small change is yet to be determined. The synthetic isoflavone derivative ipriflavone increases bone mineral density in healthy peri- and postmenopausal women with moderate bone mineral densities. Although earlier reports have claimed that soy is beneficial for the improvement of vasomotor symptoms, recent data do not support this claim. There are insufficient data on the other alternative therapies for treating menopausal symptoms at this time.


CONCLUSIONS
Alternative and complementary medicine may play a role in the management of menopause, however, well-designed large studies are still needed.
Kang
H J
HJ
Division of Reproduction Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Ansbacher
R
R
Hammoud
M M
MM
D029971:Angelica sinensis; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects; D031885:Cimicifuga; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007529:Isoflavones; C018986:ipriflavone; C044613:angelicae sinensis extract