A Nutraceutical Approach to Menopausal Complaints

Abstract

The menopausal transition, or perimenopause, is characterized by menstrual irregularities, vasomotor symptoms, sleep disturbances, mood symptoms, and urogenital tract atrophy. These changes can also affect the quality of life and one's self-esteem. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is considered the best option to achieve therapeutic relief of different menopausal symptoms but is usually restricted to moderate or severe symptoms. Moreover, many women refuse HRT for a variety of reasons concerning the fear of cancer and other adverse effects. According to these considerations, new topics are emerging: Dissatisfaction with drug costs and conventional healthcare, desire for personalized medicines, and the public perception that "natural is good". In this context, nonhormonal therapies are mostly evolving, and it is not unusual that women often request a "natural" approach for their symptoms. The aim of this study is to investigate nonhormonal therapies that have been identified to reduce the menopausal symptoms.

Keywords: Agnus castus; isoflavones; menopausal symptoms; menopause; natural approach; nutraceuticals; sleep disturbances; supplementation; vasomotor symptoms.

Figure 1

Nutraceutical and the choice of menopausal therapy. Nonhormonal therapies represent a developing option that is characterized by medical information and discussion with the patient. The customization of the therapy is a fundamental point and depends on many factors, clinical and not, such as previous therapies, risk factors, and type of symptoms. Points of strength in nutraceutical choice are: They are user-friendly, are useful as a first approach to menopausal complaints, can be used together with drugs, and are useful if HRT is refused or contraindicated.