Management of Menopause Symptoms with Acupuncture: An Umbrella Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Befus D, Coeytaux RR, Goldstein KM, McDuffie JR, Shepherd-Banigan M, Goode AP, Kosinski A, Van Noord MG, Adam SS, Masilamani V, Nagi A, Williams JW Jr. · The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine · 2018 January 3

DOI 10.1089/acm.2016.0408

Objective

Vasomotor symptoms (VMSs) are the most common symptoms reported during menopause. Although hormone therapy is effective for reducing VMSs, its use is restricted in some women. Many women with VMSs thus seek nonhormonal, nonpharmacologic treatment options such as acupuncture.

Conclusions

Evidence from RCTs supports the use of acupuncture as an adjunctive or stand-alone treatment for reducing VMSs and improving HRQOL outcomes, with the caveat that observed clinical benefit associated with acupuncture may be due, in part, or in whole to nonspecific effects. The safety of acupuncture in the treatment of VMSs has not been rigorously examined, but there is no clear signal for a significant potential for harm.

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Insights

Evidence supports the use of acupuncture for menopause symptoms as an adjunctive or stand-alone treatment for reducing vasomotor symptoms and improving health-related quality of life outcomes.