Perimenopause

Presentation Slides

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Experimental Study

Chaihu Shugan San, a traditional herbal formula, improves perimenopausal obesity with depression by regulating metabolic pathways and enhancing intestinal barrier function.

2026 Journal of Ethnopharmacology Chaihu-Shugan San ameliorates perimenopausal obesity with depression by coordinately targeting hepatic PGC-1α/CYP8B1/PPARγ signaling and gut barrier integrity
Chen Q, Liu J, Wang J, Yin T, Wu Y, Zhang T, Yu F

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Randomised Controlled Trial

Acupuncture can improve both perimenopausal depression and insomnia with short-medium term effects while being a safe treatment.

2023 Frontiers in Public Health Acupuncture for comorbid depression and insomnia in perimenopause: A feasibility patient-assessor-blinded, randomized, and sham-controlled clinical trial
Zhao FY, Zheng Z, Fu QQ, Conduit R, Xu H, Wang HR, Huang YL, Jiang T, Zhang WJ, Kennedy GA

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Systematic Review

High prevalence of insomnia, anxiety, and depression among perimenopausal women, emphasizing the importance of exploring acupuncture as a potential green therapy for effectively addressing these interconnected issues.

2022 Medicine Can acupuncture improve sleep quality and anxiety among women during perimenopause?
Ping Y, Liang C, Fan X, Zhang L, Ying D, Wang Z

Executive Summary

Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Research into Chinese medicine treatment for Perimenopause" summarising the research below and using language that can be easily understood by patients and avoiding medical jargon using a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Researched Chinese medicine treatments for Perimenopause" summarising the research below in an objective and easy to understand way, and using language that can be easily understood by patients. Group the article into Chinese medicine treatments first, followed by nutrition and other treatments. Avoid using medical jargon and use a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write me a concise but easy to understand executive summary on the topic of "Chinese medicine treatments for Perimenopause" based on the following research that I will give you. Your summary should be 2 paragraphs long in Australian English spelling and include references to the studies.

A Experimental Study published in 2026 in the journal Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that Chaihu Shugan San, a traditional herbal formula, improves perimenopausal obesity with depression by regulating metabolic pathways and enhancing intestinal barrier function. The researchers created a mouse model afflicted with perimenopausal obesity and depression through a combination of ovary removal, chronic stress exposure and a high-fat diet. The effects of treatment with Chaihu Shugan San were then assessed via biochemical analysis, organ measure comparisons and behavioral tests. Lipid levels in the blood and liver and the presence of fat cells in the liver were quantified to indicate obesity and biochemical health, and liver cells were stained to visually analyse fat accumulation. RNA sequencing, followed by verification through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, was employed to highlight the pathways that were differentially regulated by the treatment. High-resolution mass spectrometry partnered with network pharmacology were used to identify key active components of the formula and their potential molecular targets. Upon treatment with Chaihu Shugan San, the mice showed significant improvement in obesity, bowel function, anxiety and depression. The formula reduced excessive lipids in the body, improved liver fat accumulation and glucose intolerance. RNA analysis revealed that these metabolic improvements of Chaihu Shugan San were associated with changes in the PGC-1α/CYP8B1/PPARγ metabolic pathway. This was confirmed by additional lab tests. The treatment also enhanced the function of the intestinal barrier, reducing inflammation and alleviating depression-like behavior, likely via the upregulation of the gut-protective protein, Occludin. Glycyrrhizic acid, naringin, and naringenin were identified as the primary active agents in the formula exhibiting strong bonding to the core molecular targets.

A Randomised Controlled Trial published in 2023 in the journal Frontiers in Public Health found that Acupuncture can improve both perimenopausal depression and insomnia with short-medium term effects while being a safe treatment. The experiment involved seventy eligible participants who were randomly assigned to either a real-acupuncture (RA) or a sham-acupuncture (SA) group. They were given 17 sessions of either RA or SA treatments over an 8-week timeframe. The primary outcomes for mood and sleep were evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores. Secondary outcomes included an evaluation of anxiety symptoms, perimenopausal symptoms, and quality of life. Also, participants' experiences and overall satisfaction with treatment were assessed. Blood samples were collected as well to measure reproductive hormone levels. Reports indicate that 65 participants completed all treatment sessions while 54 and 41 participants completed the 8-week and 16-week follow-ups respectively. The results showed the RA group to have a bigger reduction of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores at post-treatment and 8-week follow-up compared to the sham-acupuncture group. Although, the change in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores for the RA group wasn’t significantly different from the sham group. There were no significant mean differences for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale or the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index between the two groups from the beginning to the 16th-week follow-up, nor were any differences noted in serum reproductive hormone levels among the groups. No major adverse events were reported.

A Systematic Review published in 2022 in the journal Medicine found that High prevalence of insomnia, anxiety, and depression among perimenopausal women, emphasizing the importance of exploring acupuncture as a potential green therapy for effectively addressing these interconnected issues. This passage discusses the prevalence of insomnia among perimenopausal women, its association with anxiety and depression, and the potential of acupuncture as a green therapy for treating these issues. The passage outlines the objectives and methods of a systematic review aiming to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in improving sleep quality and alleviating anxiety and depression in perimenopausal women, highlighting the need for safer alternatives to conventional medications and the significance of such a study.

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