Herbal medicine would reduce hot flashes and vaginal dryness, but would not be effective in treating night sweats in postmenopausal women.
Herbal medicine is plebiscited by thousands of women to decrease certain symptoms of menopause: frequency of hot flashes or vaginal dryness. Studies published so far have not been able to decide on the benefits of these herbal treatments. Researchers from the universities of Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Cambridge (United Kingdom) have decided to close the debates by leading a meta-analysis, published in the scientific journal JAMA.
The team of Prof. Taulant Muka, from the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, reviewed all the studies on the effects of herbal medicine in the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause. In all, 62 studies, including testimonials from nearly 6,653 women, were reviewed.
Notable improvements
As a result, the researchers concluded that herbal medicine was associated with a decrease in the number of daily hot flashes and reduced the feeling of vaginal dryness. However, herbal medicines have not been shown to be beneficial in reducing the number of night sweats. “More rigorous studies are needed to determine the effects of herbal medicine on the health of women affected by menopause,” said the researchers in their press release.
A popular therapy
When menopause dawns in women’s lives, several treatments are available to them, including hormone replacement therapy. Nevertheless, in view of the potentially harmful effects of hormonal treatments on their cardiovascular health, 40 to 50% of Western women turn to herbal treatments. A wide range including extracts of soya, red and black clover or even extracts of medicinal herbs is available to them.
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