Medscape has published 2 case histories. One patient wants to take flaxseed to improve cholesterol levels and diabetes control. The other has constipation and premenstrual symptoms.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading Flaxseed review
Category Archives: Menopause
Multivitamins, cancer, heart disease, and death
Millions of postmenopausal women use multivitamins.
Does it matter? Continue reading Multivitamins, cancer, heart disease, and death
Acupuncture for hot flashes in peri- and postmenopausal women
Researchers from Kyung Hee University, in Seoul, South Korea report “marked clinical improvement.” Continue reading Acupuncture for hot flashes in peri- and postmenopausal women
Black cohosh to manage menopausal symptoms
Reviewers from the University of Florida, College of Medicine in Jacksonville assessed the evidenced. Continue reading Black cohosh to manage menopausal symptoms
Herbals vs hormones to treat cognition in menopause
Dietary herbal supplements, such as black cohosh, have shown mixed and inconclusive results in placebo-controlled studies of menopausal symptoms.
Researchers from Northwestern University, in Chicago, Illinois compared black cohosh and red clover to hormone therapy for their effects on cognition (reasoning). Continue reading Herbals vs hormones to treat cognition in menopause
Key points about commonly used herbals
Dr. Darrell Hulisz from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio has written a continuing education article on herbals.
Here are the author’s take-away points, with additional references added. Continue reading Key points about commonly used herbals
Review: Acupuncture for menopausal symptoms
Researchers from Kyung Hee University Medical Center, in Seoul, Korea searched the literature. Continue reading Review: Acupuncture for menopausal symptoms
Acupuncture for hot flashes
Researchers from Norway report it reduced both frequency and intensity. Continue reading Acupuncture for hot flashes
Soy isoflavones and depression during menopause
Researchers from Paraiba Federal University, in Brazil evaluated the effect of soy isoflavones extract on depressive symptoms in women with climacteric syndrome (menopause). Continue reading Soy isoflavones and depression during menopause
CAM for menopause?
The authors, from the University of New South Wales, in Sydney, Australia make a potentially important point that hadn’t been mentioned here before.
But, does it matter? Continue reading CAM for menopause?
Soy pros and cons
 Dr. Aaron Michelfelder from the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois has published a review of soy.
Here’s a summary of what we know about soybeans. Continue reading Soy pros and cons
Acupuncture and menopausal hot flushes
Prof. Ernst and colleagues have reviewed the literature. Continue reading Acupuncture and menopausal hot flushes
Recommendations from Harvard for bone health
The Harvard Women’s Health Watch has published recommendations to lower the risk of fractures due to osteoporosis.
I supplemented their recommendations with references. Continue reading Recommendations from Harvard for bone health
Acupuncture to treat hot flashes in breast cancer
Professor Ernst and colleagues have reviewed the evidence.
They’re not convinced. My view is less negative.
Continue reading Acupuncture to treat hot flashes in breast cancer
Safety of black cohosh
Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is used to treat symptoms of menopause.
Prof. Ernst and a colleague from the University of Naples Federico II in Italy delve into the scientific literature on its safety. Continue reading Safety of black cohosh
The effects of tai chi on bone in postmenopausal women
Base on the available data, it looks pretty good.
Researchers from the New England School of Acupuncture in Watertown, Massachusetts searched the medical literature and found 6 studies in women worth considering (the studies that is). Continue reading The effects of tai chi on bone in postmenopausal women
Soy isoflavones to manage postmenopausal osteoporosis
 Researchers from Michigan and Turkey have compiled a comprehensive review of the topic.
Let’s focus on what soy isoflavones are, their value in preventing fractures, and safety. Continue reading Soy isoflavones to manage postmenopausal osteoporosis
Quality issues for some “natural” menopause products
ConsumerLab.com has reported the results of quality control tests on black cohosh supplements, soy and red clover isoflavone supplements, and progesterone creams.
Among the products tested, quality was inconsistent according to an article on HealthNewsDigest.com. Continue reading Quality issues for some “natural” menopause products
Review of herbal medicines in gynecology
Dr. Cathi Dennehy from the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of California San Francisco has reviewed the evidence.
I was surprised by her assessment of black cohosh for menopausal symptoms.
Here’s a summary of her findings.
Are walking and yoga beneficial during menopause?
It’s controversial, but Dr. Steriani Elavsky, assistant professor of kinesiology at Penn State University, claims that a walking or yoga program can have a positive effect — including fewer hot flashes — in women in menopause.
Here is an article about the study and here is the abstract.
Continue reading Are walking and yoga beneficial during menopause?