title: The role of complementary and alternative medicine in management of menopausal symptoms.
abstract: There is a great need for alternatives to hormone therapy for use by symptomatic menopausal women. Alternatives to estrogen can en-compass lifestyle change, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and prescription nonhormonal therapies. The use of CAM therapies for menopausal symptoms is widespread and has been increasing. In recent years, there has been an increase in the quantity and quality of research related to CAM therapy use for menopausal symptoms. A highly effective and safe CAM therapy for menopausal symptoms would be valuable but has remained elusive to date. This article reviews randomized controlled trials examining the efficacy of CAM therapies for menopausal symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA. bkessel@queens.org
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kessel
authors.forename: Fredi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kronenberg
mesh_terms: D026881:Acupuncture; D031885:Cimicifuga; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D013025:Glycine max; D029921:Trifolium; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts