EMAS position statement: Non-hormonal management of menopausal vasomotor symptoms.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of phytoestrogens as a non-hormonal therapy for menopausal vasomotor symptoms.
Results Summary
The study found insufficient or conflicting evidence to support the effectiveness of phytoestrogens in managing menopausal vasomotor symptoms. No strong clinical benefits were demonstrated.
Population
Peri- and postmenopausal women experiencing vasomotor symptoms.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
exercise | no change | vasomotor menopausal symptoms | peri- and postmenopausal women | no significant change | insufficient or conflicting evidence to suggest that are effective | #1 |
supplements | no change | vasomotor menopausal symptoms | peri- and postmenopausal women | no significant change | insufficient or conflicting evidence to suggest that are effective | #2 |
diet rich in phytoestrogens | no change | vasomotor menopausal symptoms | peri- and postmenopausal women | no significant change | insufficient or conflicting evidence to suggest that are effective | #3 |
Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) | decrease | menopausal symptoms, mainly hot flushes | peri- and postmenopausal women | - | could be proposed as alternatives to MHT | #4 |
serotonin norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) | decrease | menopausal symptoms, mainly hot flushes | peri- and postmenopausal women | - | could be proposed as alternatives to MHT | #5 |
gabapentin | decrease | menopausal symptoms, mainly hot flushes | peri- and postmenopausal women | - | could be proposed as alternatives to MHT | #6 |
Behavioral therapies | neutral | menopausal vasomotor symptoms | peri- and postmenopausal women | - | available evidence is still limited | #7 |
alternative medicine interventions | neutral | menopausal vasomotor symptoms | peri- and postmenopausal women | - | available evidence is still limited | #8 |
AIM: To review non-hormonal therapy options for menopausal vasomotor symptoms. The current EMAS position paper aims to provide to provide guidance for managing peri- and postmenopausal women who cannot or do not wish to take menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Literature review and consensus of expert opinion. RESULTS: Non-hormonal management of menopausal symptoms includes lifestyle modifications, diet and food supplements, non-hormonal medications and application of behavioral and alternative medicine therapies. There is insufficient or conflicting evidence to suggest that exercise, supplements or a diet rich in phytoestrogens are effective for vasomotor menopausal symptoms. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and gabapentin could be proposed as alternatives to MHT for menopausal symptoms, mainly hot flushes. Behavioral therapies and alternative medicine interventions have been tried, but the available evidence is still limited. CONCLUSIONS: A number of interventions for non-hormonal management of menopausal vasomotor symptoms are now available. For women who cannot or do not wish to take estrogens, non-hormonal management is now a realistic option.