Integrative medicine in the treatment of depression in perimenopausal women: A narrative review
Keywords:
perimenopausal women, depression, integrative medicine, alternative medicineAbstract
Depression is one of the most prevalent symptoms experienced by women during the perimenopausal stage, which occurs due to fluctuations in female sex hormones, typically between the ages of 45 and 60. The primary treatment is antidepressants, which often cause side effects such as dizziness, nausea, fatigue, reduced libido, weight gain, and higher recurrence and discontinuation rates. As a result, integrative medicine, which includes alternative treatments, offers an additional option that may help reduce depression and mitigate treatment side effects.
Objective: To summarize data or empirical evidence on integrative medicine in the treatment of depression in perimenopausal women.
Literature Review Methodology: The study involved searching for research data on integrative medicine in the treatment of depression in perimenopausal women and conducting a literature review using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. The keywords used for the search included 'perimenopausal depression' and 'management,' 'treatment,' or 'integrative' (including 'diet,' 'supplement,' 'herbal,' 'exercise,' or 'cognitive behavior therapy') in English-language studies from 2018 to 2024. Out of 299 studies, 23 were selected for their content relevance and included in this review."
Literature Review Results: Several studies included in this review demonstrated positive outcomes for using integrative medicine approaches to treat depression in perimenopausal women, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, and electroacupuncture, as well as activities like mindfulness training and physical exercise. Other approaches, such as time management training, health counseling, and the consumption of natural compounds like phytoestrogens and omega-3 fatty acids, along with the use of non-estrogen synthetic steroids, may help reduce depression but still lack sufficient evidence. The use of synthetic selective estrogen receptor modulators and natural compounds like cannabis also lacks sufficient evidence for their benefits in treating depression in perimenopausal women.
Conclusion: Integrative medicine offers an alternative option for treating depression in perimenopausal women, as it may be more effective and safer than using antidepressants alone. Treatment should be tailored to each patient and monitored closely.
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