Complementary therapies for management of menopausal symptoms: a systematic review to inform the update of the International Menopause Society recommendations on women's midlife health.
Alison Maunder, Amelia K Mardon, Vibhuti Rao, Sophia Torkel, Najwa-Joelle Metri, Jing Liu, Guoyan Yang, Nora Giese, Evangeline Mantzioris, Nur K Abdul Jafar, Geovanna E Rodrigues de Souza, Ieman Al-Kanini, Lorena Romero, Nick Panay, Hugo Pedder, Carolyn Ee
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: Menopausal hormone therapy is standard treatment, but some women use complementary therapies. This review examines complementary therapies for menopause to inform International Menopause Society (IMS) recommendations.
Method: A systematic search of six databases (January 2022-December 2024) identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews on complementary therapies for menopause. Outcomes included menopausal, vasomotor, genitourinary, cardiometabolic, sleep symptoms, bone health and safety. The study quality and certainty of evidence were evaluated using Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB2), A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR 2) and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).
Results: From 3187 citations, 158 studies were included: one overview, 36 meta-analyses, seven systematic reviews and 114 RCTs. While promising evidence was found for acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), herbs, nutrients, mind-body/touch therapies for a variety of symptoms, most was of low/very low certainty. High-certainty evidence supports vitamin D safety; and moderate-certainty evidence supports black cohosh (vasomotor/menopausal symptoms), CHM (menopausal symptoms, sleep, blood pressure), acupuncture + CHM (sleep) and vitamin D (fracture risk). Most complementary therapies are safe.
Conclusion: Vitamin D, black cohosh, CHM and acupuncture + CHM may improve some menopausal symptoms, but overall evidence remains limited. More rigorous research is needed on the efficacy and safety of complementary therapies for menopause.
期刊介绍：
Climacteric is the official journal of the International Menopause Society (IMS). As an international peer-reviewed journal it publishes original research and reviews of all aspects of aging in women.
Climacteric was founded by the IMS in 1998 and today has become a leading journal in the publication of peer-reviewed papers on the menopause, climacteric and mid-life health. Topics covered include endocrine changes, symptoms attributed to the menopause and their treatment, hormone replacement and alternative therapies, lifestyles, and the counselling and education of peri- and postmenopausal women. Climacteric, published bimonthly, also features regular invited reviews, editorials and commentaries on recent developments.
The editorial review board of Climacteric includes leading scientific and clinical experts in the field of midlife medicine and research and is headed by its Editor-in-Chief, Professor Rod Baber of Australia. He and his team of Associate Editors act independently to set a clear editorial policy, co-ordinate peer review, and ensure a rapid response to submitted papers.
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