Complementary and alternative medicine treatments for menopausal symptoms*
| Treatment | Number of RCTs | Length of follow up | Results for menopausal symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| *EPO = evening primrose oil; RCT = randomised controlled trial. | |||
| Black cohosh | 4 | 2–6 months | 3 RCTs showed no difference between black cohosh and control |
| Red clover | 2 | 3; 7.5 months | No difference between red clover and placebo |
| Dong quai | 1 | 6 months | No difference between dong quai and placebo |
| EPO | 1 | 6 months | Placebo better than EPO for hot flashes |
| Ginseng | 1 | 4 months | No difference between ginseng and placebo |
| Chinese herbal formula | 1 | 3 months | No difference between the Chinese herbal formula and placebo |
| Soy and soy extracts | 11 | 6–28 weeks | 6 RCTs showed some difference in hot flashes (eg, severity, frequency, or symptom score) |
| Vitamin E | 2 | 3 years; 4 weeks | 1 RCT (3 y) showed no difference; 1 showed clinically insignificant benefit |
| Wild yam cream | 1 | 3 months | No difference between wild yam cream and placebo |