Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Menopause

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has gained popularity as a naturalistic approach to managing menopausal symptoms. This evidence-based article reviews recent studies on the use of CAM for menopause and aims to provide insights into the effectiveness, safety, and potential benefits of various CAM modalities. The article focuses on the biological domain, which includes supplements, botanicals, nutrition, homeopathy, and aromatherapy. Black cohosh and red clover are 2 of the most common botanicals used for managing menopausal symptoms. However, their efficacy and safety remain controversial and further research is needed to elucidate their precise mechanisms of action.

Keywords: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); Herbal supplements; Hot flashes; Menopause; Vasomotor symptoms.