Acupuncture as an alternative to hormone therapy in women with breast cancer experiencing menopause syndrome

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal PLOS ONE reported that acupuncture is a safe and effective alternative to hormone replacement therapy in reducing menopause symptoms in women with breast cancer. In this paper, Taiwanese researchers assessed the efficacy of acupuncture on hot flashes and menopause symptoms in women with breast cancer.

• Many breast cancer patients suffer from hot flashes and medical menopause as side effects of conventional treatment
• Instead of hormone replacement therapy, some patients undergo acupuncture to relieve these symptoms.
• To test the efficacy of acupuncture, researchers at the National Yang-Ming University and National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan looked at 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of needle acupuncture on hot flush and menopause symptoms in women with breast cancer.
• Overall, the trials included 844 women with breast cancer with an average age of 58.
• Based on the results of the analysis, acupuncture did not improve the frequency and the severity of hot flush.
• However, it significantly reduced menopause symptoms.

In conclusion, acupuncture can be used as a safe and effective treatment for reducing menopause symptoms in women with breast cancer, especially those who are concerned about the side effects of hormone replacement therapy.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

To read more studies on natural ways to reduce menopause symptoms, visit WomensHealth.news.

Journal Reference:

Chien TJ, Hsu CH, Liu CY, Fang CJ. EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE ON HOT FLUSH AND MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS IN BREAST CANCER- A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS. PLOS ONE. 22 August 2017; 12(8). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180918