Botanicals and menopause

Integrative therapies for menopause.

Article Summary:

Hormone replacement therapy has been a popular method of treating menopausal symptoms, but recently there have been reports of side effects that have left physicians seeking alternatives that do not have harmful side effects.

Incorporating soy and whole foods in the diet is thought to help with the symptoms. Exercise has also been known to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Also, botanicals such as black cohosh and red clover have been shown in clinical studies to decrease the severity and frequency of hot flashes.

We recommend that hormone replacement therapy only be used if other alternatives, such as black cohosh, do not work.

Authors:

McKee J, Warber SL.

Institution:

Family Medicine Department, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-1123, USA. jmckee@utmb.edu

Country of Publication:

United States

Source:

South Med J. 2005 Mar;98(3):319-26.

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