Complementary and Alternative therapy for menopause

There are many ways of managing your symptoms and support wellbeing that do not involve adding hormones. Few complementary and alternative treatment options have proven evidence of effectiveness, but although many options do not stand up to scrutiny from a robust and evidence-based perspective, there will be individual women who will benefit from some of these treatments.

Healthy lifestyle choices

See our lifestyle FAQ for helpful information about the lifestyle pillars

Cognitive behavioural therapy

CBT can help to improve anxiety, depression, sleep and hot flushes, this can be done in 1-1 therapy, in a group session or by using an online or book to support you

Non-hormonal prescribable medications

Women’s Health concern fact sheet Complementary and alternative therapies

British Menopause Society: Prescribable alternatives to HRT

Neurokinin 3 receptor antagonists are available privately at the moment and are effective in the relief of hot flushes. This link takes you to the BMS statement.

Complementary treatments

It is important to see a qualified specialist who has undertaken the training to advise you safely

Hypnotherapy

A type of psychological therapy using hypnosis help treat some mental and physical health conditions and to change habits. Reduces vasomotor symptoms and self hypnosis can improve sleep.

National hypnotherapy society

Acupuncture:

There is conflicting evidence for benefit but some women report finding this helpful.

The British Medical Acupuncture Society

Yoga:

Yoga may have a broad impact on coping with menopausal changes and improving well-being rather than specifically controlling hot flushes.

At the heart of yoga

Herbal medicine

We always recommend you see a specialist to ensure you are taking products that are safe for you.

Treatments they provide can include liquid extracts and tinctures, requiring small, individualised doses.

Examples of herbs they may consider include sage, black cohosh and wild yam for night sweats; chaste tree berry for PMS symptoms; shatavari for hot flushes and vaginal dryness; blue skull cap for anxiety, valerian and passionflower for insomnia, St John’s wort and rose for anxiety, rage and mood swings.

Example of adaptogens (help the body adapt to stress) they may consider include ashwagandha to calm and promote healthy sleep and rhodiola, to improve energy, mood and cognitive function.

Some herbs may interact with medications and need to be taken with guidance if you have medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, a thyroid condition or a history of hormone sensitive cancer, for example.

Black cohosh may relieve vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause but it can interact with medications, multiple preparations are available, and safety is uncertain

St John’s Wort can relieve anxiety and low mood associated with menopause, but there is uncertainty about variation in nature and potency of preparations. It can interact with other drugs such as anticonvulsants, anticoagulants and tamoxifen. St John’s Wort interacts with HRT and should not be used alongside HRT for this reason.

Video about herbal medicine

Download a free guide to herbal medicine

Other sources of information

This information is for general guidance and for you to discuss with us at your appointment or your Dr to see if these might be suitable for you. Please do not start to take any of these medications until you have checked they are suitable for you.

Updated December 2024 Dr Carys Sonnenberg

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