“Talk with your health care providers. Tell them about
the complementary health approach you’re considering
and ask any questions you may have about safety…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Complementary and Integrative Health and Menopause Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Acupuncture
  • Alternative Medicine Practices/Products/Remedies/Therapies/Treatments
  • Ayurveda/Ayurvedic Medicine
  • Bioidentical Hormone Therapy/Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
  • Bioidentical Hormones
  • Chinese Medicine Remedies/Therapies/Treatments
  • Chiropractic
  • Complementary Health Practices/Products/Remedies/Therapies/Treatments
  • Complementary Medicine (CM)
  • Complementary Medicine Practices/Products/Remedies/Therapies/Treatments
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
  • Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH)
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Energy Medicine
  • Herbal Treatments
  • Homeopathy
  • Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy
  • Integrative Health Care/Medicine
  • Manipulative and Body Based Therapies
  • Massage/Remedial Massage
  • Meditation
  • Menopause/Perimenopause/Postmenopause
  • Mind and Body Approaches/Practices/Therapies/Treatments
  • Mindfulness
  • Natural Approaches/Practices/Products/Remedies/Therapies/Treatments
  • Naturopathy
  • Non Mainstream Health Care
  • Nutrition/Nutritional/Dietary Approaches
  • Osteopathy
  • Prayer
  • Psychotherapy
  • Qi Gong
  • Reflexology
  • Reiki
  • Relaxation
  • Remedial Therapy
  • Spiritual Healing
  • Supplements
  • Tai Chi
  • Therapeutic Touch
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
  • Traditional Medicine
  • Yoga

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

What is complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)?

DotS the definition of CAM may vary. In Natural Therapies the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) definition is:

“‘Natural therapy’, ‘complementary therapy’, ‘complementary medicine’ and ‘alternative therapy’ do not all mean the same thing, but they describe therapies and approaches to health and healing that are not considered parts of conventional, evidence-based (Western) medicine. The common catch-all term for all of these is ‘complementary and alternative medicine’ (CAM)”.2

Complementary Health Approaches

Is there an association between complementary health approaches and menopause symptoms?

In Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopause Symptoms: Mind and Body Practices the (United States) National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) note:

“Only a small amount of research has been done on most mind and body practices for menopause symptoms. However, the limited evidence currently available suggests that some of these practices might help to relieve symptoms or make them less bothersome”.3

In Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Alternative Medicine the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Many approaches have been promoted as aids in managing the symptoms of menopause, but few of them have scientific evidence to back up the claims. Some complementary and alternative treatments that have been or are being studied include:

  • Plant Estrogens (Phytoestrogens)…
  • Bioidentical Hormones…
  • Black Cohosh…
  • Yoga…
  • Acupuncture…
  • Hypnosis…”.4

Menopause Symptoms

What are some complementary health approaches for menopause symptoms?

On pages one and two in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:

  • “Alternative therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy, may also improve hot flushes, nights sweats and other menopausal symptoms and can be considered in women who do not wish to take HRT or have contraindications to taking HRT”.5

In Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopause Symptoms the NCCIH elaborate on:

Complementary and Integrative Health and Menopause

  • “Natural Products…
    • Phytoestrogens
    • Black Cohosh…
    • DHEA…
    • Dong Quai…
    • Vitamin E…
    • Other Natural Products…
  • Mind and Body Practices…
    • Acupuncture…
    • Hypnotherapy…
    • Mindfulness Meditation…
    • Yoga…
  • Other Complementary Approaches
    • Bioidentical Hormones…”.6

In Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Alternatives the (United Kingdom) NHS elaborate on:

  • “Lifestyle Measures…
  • Tibolone…
  • Antidepressants…
  • Clonidine…
  • Bioidentical or “Natural” Hormones
  • Complementary Therapies…”.7

In Complementary & Alternative Therapies for Menopausal Women: Non Hormonal Prescribed Treatments the (British) Women’s Health Concern (WHC) elaborate on:

  • “Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)…
  • Herbal Treatments…
    • Black Cohosh…
    • St John’s Wort…
  • Isoflavones and Soya Products (Plant substances found in the diet including red clover supplements)…
  • Acupuncture…
  • Non Hormonal Prescribed Treatments…
    • Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRI) [fluoxetine, paroxetine, citalopram, sertraline] and the Serotonin Noradrenaline Re-uptake Inhibitor/Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRI-SNRI) [venlafaxine]…
      • Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (Gabapentin)…
      • Clonidine…
  • Treatments for breast cancer survivors…”.8

In Natural Therapies the JH elaborate on:

  • “Complementary Therapy Use in Australia…
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture…
  • Alexander Technique…
  • Herbal Medicine…
  • Homeopathy…
  • Nutrition…
  • Osteopathy…
  • Remedial Massage…”.9

Dietary Supplements

Is there an association between dietary supplements and menopause symptoms?

In Menopause FAQs: Hot Flashes – Is it safe to take dietary supplements or herbal therapies for my menopause symptoms? the NAMS answer this question and elaborate on:

“A. No over-the-counter (OTC) dietary supplement or herbal therapy has been found to be effective on menopause symptoms. If you still want to try a dietary supplement for your hot flashes, you must continue only with the appropriate oversight of your healthcare provider. Because normal FDA regulations for prescription or OTC drugs do not apply to dietary supplements, demonstrating safety is not required before a dietary supplement is put on the market. Although a number of manufacturers do employ rigorous quality-control measures, many products are not monitored for purity or levels of active ingredients”.10

Herbal Medicine

Is there an association between herbal medicine and menopause symptoms?

In Menopause Management Options: Natural Therapies (Complementary Medicine and Therapies) the JH explain:

“The types of herbs used to manage menopausal symptoms include: black cohosh, dong quai, evening primrose, hops, Korean ginseng, linseed (flaxseed), red clover, St John’s wort and wild yam. Some herbs are used more specifically for low sex drive (libido), such as tribulus, maca and horny goat weed, whereas others are more commonly used for insomnia, anxiety and fatigue, such as lemon balm, valerian and passionflower”.11

Black Cohosh

Is there an association between black cohosh and menopause symptoms?

In Black Cohosh: What Have We Learned? the NCCIH elaborate on:

  • “Research suggests that certain black cohosh extracts and some combination products containing black cohosh may reduce some menopause symptoms. Most of the research has been on a single extract called Remifemin. Research on other black cohosh products has had inconsistent results. Guidelines released in 2015 indicate that there is a lack of consistent evidence for any benefit from black cohosh for menopause symptoms. But a 2017 review of recent research suggests that black cohosh extracts approved for treatment in Europe seem to decrease menopause symptoms”.12

Safe or Not

Are natural therapies safe?

In Safety of Natural Therapies the JH note:

“Natural therapies are often considered safe and harmless because they are ‘natural’.

However, this is simply not the case. Just as there are risks and unwanted side effects to conventional medical treatment such as painkillers and prescription drugs, there can be risks and unwanted side effects to natural therapies. Generally, the risks are smaller when it comes to natural therapies, but they are real and need to be respected”.13

Effective or Not

Is complementary medicine as effective as menopausal hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms?

In Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms: Main Points the Australasian Menopause Society elaborate on:

  • “No complementary medicine is as effective as oestrogen therapy for menopausal symptoms”.14

Healthy Lifestyle

Is there an association between implementing or maintaining a healthy lifestyle and the improvement of menopause symptoms?

On page one in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause one of the recommendations is:

  • “Women should be advised that implementing or maintaining a healthy lifestyle can improve menopause symptoms. A healthy diet (one low in saturated fat and salt and rich in calcium and vitamin D), stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake and including regular exercise can be beneficial. Reducing caffeine intake may also improve symptoms”.15

Tips for Talking

What are tips for talking to health care providers about CIH?

In 4 Tips: Start Talking With Your Health Care Providers About Complementary Health Approaches the NCCIH elaborate on:

  1. “List the complementary health practices you use on your patient history form…
  2. At each visit, be sure to tell your providers about what complementary health approaches you are using…
  3. If you are considering a new complementary health practice, ask questions…
  4. Don’t wait for your providers to ask about any complementary health practice you are using. Be proactive. Start the conversation”.16

Questions To Ask

What are some questions to ask health care providers about CIH?

The (United States) Endocrine Society’s Menopause Treatment: Questions For Your Healthcare Provider include:

  • “What do you think are possible triggers for my hot flashes?
  • Are there any lifestyle or dietary interventions that may diminish my symptoms?
  • Should I consider medication for treatment of my symptoms? Hormonal or non-hormonal?
  • If you are interested in hormonal therapy: Am I a good candidate for hormonal therapy, specifically are my cardiovascular and breast cancer risks low?
  • Which lifestyle changes can I make that will decrease my menopause symptoms without medicine?
  • Are there any alternative medicine treatments you would recommend I try for relief of my menopause symptoms?
  • Are there any alternative medicines I should not use because they could interfere with medicines I take?”17

Health Care Provider

What if I choose to use CIH?

If you choose to use CIH it may be in your best interest to also choose to talk with your health care providers about this.

In Are You Considering A Complementary Health Approach? Take Charge of Your Health the NCCIH note:

  • “Tell all your health care providers—complementary and conventional—about all the health approaches you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care”.18

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Complementary and Integrative Health and Menopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Complementary and Integrative Health and Menopause?

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Are You Considering A Complementary Health Approach? How Can I Get Reliable Information About A Complementary Health Approach? Last Updated: September 2016. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/are-you-considering-a-complementary-health-approach Accessed: 03 March 2023
  2. Natural Therapies. Last Updated: 10 January 2020. Last Reviewed: 16 December 2016. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/natural-therapies-supplements/natural-therapies Accessed: 03 March 2023
  3. Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopause Symptoms: Mind and Body Practices. Last Updated: May 2017. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/menopausal-symptoms-in-depth Accessed: 03 March 2023
  4. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Alternative Medicine. 17 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 03 March 2023
  5. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published 10 June 2022:1-2. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 03 March 2023
  6. Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopause Symptoms: Mind and Body Practices. Last Updated: May 2017. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/menopausal-symptoms-in-depth Accessed: 03 March 2023
  7. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Alternatives. Page Last Reviewed: 09 September 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/alternatives/ Accessed: 03 March 2023
  8. Complementary & Alternative Therapies for Menopausal Women: Non Hormonal Prescribed Treatments. Publication Date: September 2020. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/complementaryalternative-therapies-menopausal-women/ Accessed: 03 March 2023
  9. Natural Therapies. Last Updated: 10 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 16 December 2016. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/natural-therapies-supplements/natural-therapies Accessed: 03 March 2023
  10. Menopause FAQs: Hot Flashes – Is it safe to take dietary supplements or herbal therapies for my menopause symptoms? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hot-flashes Accessed: 03 March 2023
  11. Menopause Management Options: Natural Therapies (Complementary Medicine and Therapies). Last Updated: 02 March 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 03 March 2023
  12. Black Cohosh: What Have We Learned? Last Updated: May 2020. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/black-cohosh Accessed: 03 March 2023
  13. Safety of Natural Therapies. Last Updated: 10 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 10 June 2016. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/natural-therapies-supplements/safety-of-natural-therapies Accessed: 03 March 2023
  14. Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms: Main Points. Content Updated: January 2018. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/complementary-medicine-options Accessed: 03 March 2023
  15. 4 Tips: Start Talking With Your Health Care Providers About Complementary Health Approaches. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/tips-start-talking-with-your-health-care-providers-about-complementary-health-approaches Accessed: 03 March 2023
  16. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published 10 June 2022:1. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 03 March 2023
  17. Menopause Treatment: Questions For Your Healthcare Provider. 24 January 2022. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/menopause-treatment Accessed: 03 March 2023
  18. Are You Considering A Complementary Health Approach? Take Charge of Your Health. Last Updated: September 2016. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/are-you-considering-a-complementary-health-approach Accessed: 03 March 2023
Topic Last Updated: 03 March 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 03 March 2023

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