Women seek alternative remedies for menopause, report finds

WASHINGTON Approximately 45% of women who have discontinued use of hormone replacement therapy for the relief of menopause symptoms reported the use of alternative remedies to treat hot flashes, according to a survey of 563 women in the January/February edition of the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing.

Women who were between the ages of 40 and 50 and fewer than 5 years postmenopause onset were more likely to use alternative therapies, which included multivitamins and calcium (27%), black cohosh (21%), soy supplements and food (19%), antidepressants (14%), meditation and relaxation (12%), evening primrose oil (8%), blood pressure medications (6%) and homeopathy (6%), among other therapies.

The participants perceived antidepressants as one of the most efficacious methods, followed by homeopathy, meditation and relaxation, evening primrose, antihypertensives, black cohosh, soy products, and multivitamins and calcium.