Herbal therapy use by perimenopausal women

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Women's Health
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Perimenopausal women increasingly use herbal remedies for symptom management.
• Herbal use poses risks due to potential side effects and drug interactions.
• Healthcare providers may not inquire about herbal supplement use, impacting patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of herbal remedy use among perimenopausal women.
• To investigate the disclosure of herbal use to clinicians.
• To explore patient-provider communication regarding herbal therapies.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive survey design was employed.
• Data collected via questionnaire from 40 women (ages 40-65) in a southeastern US health food grocery.
• Key measures included menopause symptoms, perceived therapy efficacy, herbs used, information sources, and provider discussions.

Main Results:

• Two-thirds of participants reported using herbs for perimenopausal symptoms.
• Herb users experienced more symptoms and hormone therapy side effects.
• Information sources varied: alternative providers for users, media/peers for non-users.
• Less than half were asked about herbal use by providers; many were dissatisfied with provided information.
• Black cohosh was most common; ginseng and ginkgo perceived as most effective.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare providers require enhanced knowledge of herbal therapies for perimenopausal symptom management.
• Informed providers can better tailor care to patient needs and preferences.
• Improved communication regarding herbal use is crucial for patient safety and satisfaction.