More women are turning to complementary and alternative (CAMs) options for relieving their menopause symptoms because they want to avoid the risks associated with conventional treatments. People are looking for more holistic, natural approaches.  Interest in alternative therapies is quickly growing. In fact, at least one-third of perimenopausal and menopausal women in the United States are treating their symptoms with some form of nonconventional therapy.  The popularity of nonconventional treatments in the US has grown so tremendously that the government is now devoting more time and money into exploring these different types of treatments and therapies.

It is another approach to health and healing. Alternative therapies are practices and products that are not used in the conventional, traditional sense. The term “complementary therapies” refers to the use of a combination of conventional (i.e., hormone therapy) and alternative products or practices used concurrently.  The safety and effectiveness of CAM therapies for menopausal symptoms lacks a large scientific backing. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is a branch of the National Institutes of Health that is designed to conduct clinical trials on new therapies, procedures and treatments to determine if the therapy is safe and effective.  The safety of alternative treatments is highly debated. Alternative therapies sold as medicines in the United States need to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If a product is sold as a supplement, it is regulated as a food not a drug. Advocates of conventional medicine attest the lack of scientific testing and safety of alternative products.  Consult with your healthcare provider about complementary and alternative approaches/therapies for your specific menopausal concern. Do not think just because a product is labeled as “natural” it is necessarily good for you. Many supplements and herbs can interact with other medications causing adverse side-effects.

Another set of safety issues surrounds herbal supplements. Some herbs contain harmful additives or contaminants that may affect how the body reacts. Don’t think “natural” is always safe.

If your healthcare provider is not familiar with these approaches or therapies, ask for a referral to find a qualified complementary and alternative medical healthcare practitioner in your area.

0.1. Types of CAM therapies for menopausal symptoms:

Botanicals

Black cohosh

Red clover

Dong quai

Ginseng

Kava

Soy

Phytoestrogens

Lignans

Coumestans

Isoflavones

DHEA

Other CAM therapies

Exercise

Exercise

Paced respiration

Health education

Acupuncture

Biofeedback

Diet-based therapies

Energy healing therapy

Homeopathic treatment

Hypnosis

Massage

Meditation

Megavitamin therapy

Naturopathy

Prayer

Qi gong

Reiki

Tai Chi

Yoga