Complementary and alternative therapies for the management of menopause-related symptoms: a systematic evidence review.
BACKGROUND
Nearly half of adults in the United States use complementary and alternative therapies each year for a variety of reasons. These therapies are increasingly popular among women seeking alternatives to treatment with estrogen for managing menopausal symptoms. The objective of this review was to assess the effectiveness of complementary and alternative therapies in the management of menopausal symptoms.


METHODS
MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Cochrane Library database, MANTIS, and AMED.


METHODS
Full-text, English-language, randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses comparing a complementary or alternative therapy with placebo or control for treatment of menopausal symptoms.


METHODS
All eligible trials were reviewed, abstracted into evidence tables, and rated for quality.


RESULTS
Seventy randomized controlled trials met inclusion criteria. Forty-eight studies of phytoestrogens and other biologically based agents showed mixed results. Smaller numbers of studies using mind-body, energy, manipulative, and body-based therapies and whole medical systems showed little benefit in treating menopausal symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Although individual trials suggest benefits from certain therapies, data are insufficient to support the effectiveness of any complementary and alternative therapy in this review for the management of menopausal symptoms. Many of these potential therapies warrant further study in trials with rigorous scientific designs to determine benefit and safety.
Nedrow
Anne
A
Department of Medical Informatics, Oregon Evidence-Based Practice Center, Portland, OR, USA. nedrowa@ohsu.edu
Miller
Jill
J
Walker
Miranda
M
Nygren
Peggy
P
Huffman
Laurie Hoyt
LH
Nelson
Heidi D
HD
D001521:Behavior Therapy; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome