Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Menopause Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Menopause
Menopause
Menopause impacts many aspects of health, including the gut microbiome, weight management, and hormone balance. Diet, probiotics, intermittent fasting, and HRT offer effective management strategies.
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Divine Aleru
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was reviewed?
This comprehensive critical review examined the effectiveness and safety of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions for managing menopausal symptoms. It focused on mind-body practices, natural products, and whole-system approaches such as traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. The review synthesized evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews published through early 2017, aiming to clarify CAM’s role in alleviating vasomotor symptoms (VMS), mood disturbances, sexual dysfunction, sleep problems, and other common menopausal complaints.
Who was reviewed?
The review encompassed a diverse cohort of menopausal and postmenopausal women, including healthy individuals and breast cancer survivors, drawn from multiple RCTs across various countries. Participants typically experienced vasomotor symptoms, mood disorders, sleep disruption, and quality-of-life impairments. The literature included trials with sample sizes ranging from small pilot studies to larger RCTs, focusing on CAM modalities used either as standalone treatments or adjuncts to conventional therapies.
Most important findings
The review identified that mind-body interventions, particularly hypnosis, consistently demonstrated clinically significant reductions in hot flash frequency and severity, with some studies showing up to 74% reduction in subjective hot flashes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and relaxation techniques showed potential benefits in reducing distress and improving quality of life but were less effective in decreasing hot flash frequency. Mindfulness-based stress reduction and yoga may alleviate psychological symptoms and improve sleep quality but lack strong evidence for vasomotor symptom reduction.
Among natural products, evidence was mixed and inconclusive. Black cohosh showed inconsistent benefits, with some studies indicating no significant effect on menopausal symptoms, while combined preparations with other herbs appeared more promising. Phytoestrogens (soy, red clover) displayed variable results, often failing to achieve clinically meaningful improvements in vasomotor symptoms. Other supplements like vitamin E and evening primrose oil lacked robust evidence for efficacy.
Key implications
This review supports the use of mind-body interventions, especially hypnosis, as effective and safe CAM options for managing vasomotor and psychological menopausal symptoms. Other CAM therapies show potential but require further rigorous trials with standardized protocols to establish efficacy and safety. Healthcare providers should actively discuss CAM use with patients to provide integrative care and reduce risks from unregulated treatments. Incorporating microbiome-focused research may enhance understanding of CAM mechanisms and guide personalized therapeutic strategies for menopause.
Menopause
Menopause impacts many aspects of health, including the gut microbiome, weight management, and hormone balance. Diet, probiotics, intermittent fasting, and HRT offer effective management strategies.