Evidence-based Facts of non-hormonal treatment of menopausal symptom

Menopausal symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats can have a great impact on quality of life. As first line, hormonal therapy with estrogens in combination with progestins is used, and shows beneficial effects on these symptoms. Some women, however, have contraindications against hormonal therapy or do not wish to take hormones at all. In these women, alternative treatments are needed to treat vasomotor symptoms. Pharmacologic substances like antidepressants, anticonvulsants or antihypertensive drugs show a significant reduction of these symptoms in menopausal women. Phytopharmaceutical products may show beneficial effects but study designs often do not fulfil strict scientific criteria. Furthermore, dosage and composition of the products may differ considerably. Best data are available for isoflavons and extracts of cimicifuga racemosa. Other alternative therapies like yoga, exercise, hypnosis and acupuncture showed promising results in small studies and may be recommended individually.