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Pan M, Pan X, Zhou J, Wang J, Qi Q, Wang L. Update on hormone therapy for the management of postmenopausal women. Biosci Trends 2022; 16:46-57. [PMID: 35013031 DOI: 10.5582/bst.2021.01418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Hormone therapy (HT) has been used in postmenopausal women for decades in clinical practice. With further analysis and newer studies, the benefits and risks of HT have been repeatedly verified and discussed. HT is recommended for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms (VMS), genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and the prevention of osteoporosis. However, the precise association between HT and the risks of cardiovascular diseases, venous thromboembolism, neurodegenerative diseases, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer remains controversial. Therefore, determining how to take advantage of and control the risks of HT by adjusting the initiation time, regimen, and duration is crucial. Recent studies have indicated that HT is not related to the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, or breast cancer mortality although it might increase the incidence of some chronic diseases. For symptomatic postmenopausal women under the age of 60 without contraindications, early initiation of HT is safe and probably has a mortality benefit over the long term. Initiating HT close to menopause at the lowest effective dose is more likely to have maximal benefits and the lowest risks. Transdermal and vaginal HT may have a lower risk, but recent evidence suggests additional clinical benefits of oral HT formulations in relieving VMS and preventing osteoporosis. The pooled cohort risk equation for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and the free app named Menopro can be used to perform individual risk assessments. In addition, Chinese herbal medicines have benefits in alleviating hot flashes, depression, and menopausal symptoms, although further data are needed to strongly support their efficacy. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture have definite efficacy in the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms with few adverse effects, so they are a reasonable option as an alternative therapy for high-risk women. This review discusses the history of, guidelines on, and strategies for HT in order to make suggestions based on the most up-to-date evidence for the management of postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijun Pan
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyao Pan
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Qi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Diseases, Shanghai, China
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Bălan A, Moga MA, Dima L, Toma S, Elena Neculau A, Anastasiu CV. Royal Jelly-A Traditional and Natural Remedy for Postmenopausal Symptoms and Aging-Related Pathologies. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25143291. [PMID: 32698461 PMCID: PMC7397171 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25143291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Women's life stages are based on their reproductive cycle. This cycle begins with menstruation and ends with menopause. Aging is a natural phenomenon that affects all humans, and it is associated with a decrease in the overall function of the organism. In women, aging is related with and starts with menopause. Also, during menopause and postmenopausal period, the risk of various age-related diseases and complaints is higher. For this reason, researchers were pushed to find effective remedies that could promote healthy aging and extended lifespan. Apitherapy is a type of alternative medicine that uses natural products from honeybees, such as honey, propolis, royal jelly, etc. Royal jelly is a natural yellowish-white substance, secreted by both hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of nurse bees, usually used to feed the queen bees and young worker larvae. Over the centuries, this natural product was considered a gold mine for traditional and natural medicine, due to its miraculous effects. Royal jelly has been used for a long time in commercial medical products. It has been demonstrated to possess a wide range of functional properties, such as: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, vasodilatative, hypotensive, anticancer, estrogen-like, antihypercholesterolemic, and antioxidant activities. This product is usually used to supplement various diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, sexual dysfunctions, diabetes or cancer. The main objective of this study is to highlight the effectiveness of royal jelly supplementation in relieving menopause symptoms and aging-related diseases. We also aimed to review the most recent research advances regarding the composition of royal jelly for a better understanding of the effects on human health promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Bălan
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine, Transylvania University of Brasov, 500019 Brasov, Romania; (A.B.); (M.A.M.); (C.V.A.)
| | - Marius Alexandru Moga
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine, Transylvania University of Brasov, 500019 Brasov, Romania; (A.B.); (M.A.M.); (C.V.A.)
| | - Lorena Dima
- Department of Fundamental, Prophylactic and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500019 Brasov, Romania;
| | - Sebastian Toma
- Department of Fundamental, Prophylactic and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500019 Brasov, Romania;
- Correspondence: (S.T.); (A.E.N.); Tel.: +40-0268-412-185 (S.T. & A.E.N.)
| | - Andrea Elena Neculau
- Department of Fundamental, Prophylactic and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500019 Brasov, Romania;
- Correspondence: (S.T.); (A.E.N.); Tel.: +40-0268-412-185 (S.T. & A.E.N.)
| | - Costin Vlad Anastasiu
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine, Transylvania University of Brasov, 500019 Brasov, Romania; (A.B.); (M.A.M.); (C.V.A.)
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