Chinese Medicine for Menopausal Syndrome： Current Status, Problems and Strategies

• Published in: Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2011-12, Vol.17 (12), p.889-892
• Main Authors: Wang, Xiao-yun, Nie, Guang-ning, Yang, Hong-yan, Zong, Li-li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical Research; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - pharmacology; Feature Article; Female; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Medicine, Chinese Traditional - trends; Menopause - drug effects; Syndrome; 中医药; 临床试验; 学习质量; 更年期综合征; 更年期综合症; 治疗方案; 流行病学调查; 评价体系
• ISSN: 1672-0415; 1993-0402
• DOI: 10.1007/s11655-011-0931-8

The use of Chinese medicine （CM） for the management of menopausal syndrome is considered effective both at home and abroad, and more and more clinical studies are confirming its efficacy. However, many problems still exit in current studies, such as the standard of CM syndrome differentiation, the design methodology and criteria to assess the quality of clinical trials and the efficacy of interventions. In this paper, the authors present the CM research and treatment strategies for menopausal syndrome with concepts explaining the CM understanding of the mechanism of the disorder. It is concluded that CM is effective for menopausal syndrome, but improvement in both study methodology and treatment strategy is needed. In detail, it is firstly necessary to conduct clinical studies to evaluate the difference of various CM treatments for menopausal syndrome manifesting different symptoms, so as to establish a comprehensive treatment protocol of CM. Secondly,an acknowledged evaluation system needs to be founded, which embodies the characteristics of CM, and covers appropriate endpoint indices and parameters to objectively evaluate the effect and study quality of CM. Finally, an epidemiological survey with large sample size should be implemented with robust statistical design and CM expertise to collect data for establishing diagnostic criteria for menopause in different stages and with different symptoms.