Acupuncture or phy(F)itoestrogens vs. (E)strogen plus progestin on menopausal symptoms. A randomized study

The effect of acupuncture and phytoestrogens on climacteric symptoms was compared to the effect of hormone therapy (HT) with estrogen plus progestin. A total of 75 postmenopausal women with hot flushes were randomized to receive for 3 months conjugated estrogens/medroxyprogesterone acetate (0.30 mg/1.5 mg/d), acupuncture weekly or soy isoflavones (75 mg/2/d). Evaluations were performed prior to, at the end, and 3 months after treatments. Main outcomes were modification of the Greene’s climacteric scale and menopause quality of life (MenQoL). The Greene’s score significantly declined (p <.05) during HT (−5.6 ± 3.1), acupuncture (−6.9 ± 4.5) and phytostrogens (−3.4 ± 4.3) (p <.05 vs. HT). Mean Greene’s vasomotor sub-score declined less during phytoestrogens than HT (−0.8 ± 2.0 vs. −2.0 ± 1.9; p <.05) and a ≥ 80% reduction was observed in 17.4% of women on phytoestrogens (p <.05 vs. HT), 44% of women on HT, and 41.7% of women on acupuncture. MenQoL score improved similarly (p <.05) during HT (−1.4 ± 1.3), acupuncture (−1.7 ± 1.0) and phytoestrogens (−1.0 ± 1.3). Three months after treatment end, benefits on MenQoL were conserved more following acupuncture than HT (p <.006). The present data indicate that acupuncture, and in lesser extent phytoestrogens, can be effective therapies for climacteric symptoms. Trial registration: EudraCT Number 2008-006053-4.