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Menopause and Alternative Medicine

5. What should women consider if they are thinking about using CAM for menopausal symptoms?
There is very little scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of CAM therapies for menopausal symptoms. However, it is possible that some CAM therapies, while not as effective as MHT, may provide some relief to women during the menopausal transition. Here are some points to keep in mind about these therapies:

  • It is important for women who are considering or using CAM therapies for any health reason to discuss them with their health care provider. This is to help ensure safety and a comprehensive treatment plan.

  • Botanical and other dietary supplements can interact with prescription and over-the-counter drugs, affecting how the body reacts. Supplements can pose other safety issues as well. Some have been found to be contaminated, contain unlabeled ingredients, or have different amounts of ingredients than are listed on the label. "Natural" does not automatically mean "safe."

  • Pharmacists can be a helpful source of information about supplements. However, their advice should not be viewed as a substitute for the advice of a health care provider.

  • The claims for many CAM therapies can be attractive, ranging from enhancing well-being to producing health results that might seem unbelievable. Check whether such claims are based only on personal stories (testimonials) or on the results of controlled research studies. It is important to know whether scientific research has proven that a therapy works.

  • The cost of a CAM therapy may be a concern, as many CAM therapies are not covered by insurance.
About Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements were defined in a law passed by Congress in 1994. A dietary supplement must meet all of the following conditions:

  • It is a product (other than tobacco) intended to supplement the diet, which contains one or more of the following: vitamins; minerals; herbs or other botanicals; amino acids; or any combination of the above ingredients.

  • It is intended to be taken in tablet, capsule, powder, softgel, gelcap, or liquid form.

  • It is not represented for use as a conventional food or as a sole item of a meal or the diet.

  • It is labeled as being a dietary supplement.
Other important information about dietary supplements:
  • They are regulated as foods, not drugs, so there could be quality issues in the manufacturing process.

  • Supplements can interact with prescribed or over-the-counter medicines, and other supplements.

  • "Natural" does not necessarily mean "safe" or "effective."

  • Consult your health care provider before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant or nursing, or considering giving a supplement to a child.
CAM therapies are not the only alternatives to MHT to consider. Certain lifestyle changes can contribute to healthy aging, including during the menopausal transition. For example, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly have been shown to reduce the risks of heart disease and osteoporosis. Women may want to try one or more of these changes as well.