Use of Chinese herbal medicine among menopausal women in Taiwan.

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2009 Dec 5;

Authors: Chen LC, Wang BR, Chen IC, Shao CH

OBJECTIVE: To assess the patterns of use of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) used by women in Taiwan to treat menopausal symptoms. METHODS: A retrospective review of the records of women who received CHM therapies for menopausal symptoms at the Traditional Medicine Center, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, between January 2003 and December 2006. The average number of therapies per prescription, dosage, and duration of the prescription were recorded. The most commonly prescribed herbs and formulae were also recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The records of 3432 women who were administered a total of 19370 CHMs to treat symptoms of the menopause were reviewed. The average number of drugs per prescription was 5.64. Most of the prescriptions (97.1%) were prescribed to be taken 3times a day. The most commonly prescribed Chinese herb was Leonurus heterophyllus. Jia-Wey-Shiau-Yau-San was the most commonly prescribed Chinese herbal formula. CONCLUSION: CHM is commonly used in Taiwan for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. The efficacy and safety of CHM drugs used for the management of menopausal symptoms require further study.

Dr.Steve’s BOTTOM LINE: While this study does not really prove anything, it certainly tells us that herbal treatment of menopausal hot flashes and other symptoms is alive and well and extremely popular in Taiwan. Both of these are one of the 50 fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and there is published evidence that they can relieve vasomotor or “flushing” symptoms. The question is, exactly how well do they work….. and this remains an unanswered question.