Complimentary and alternative methods include –

• Cognitive Behavioural therapy – is a talking therapy which helps alleviate low mood and anxiety and improve hot flushes and sweats. It has been shown to be an effective treatment.
• Herbal treatments – Black Cohosh and St Johns wort have been shown to help hot flushes but do have significant interactions with other medicines. Guidelines recommend looking for the THR logo which stands for Traditional Herbal Medicines. These products have been checked for dose and quality. However, there are unknown risks about their safety.
• Other herbal treatments include Ginseng and Chinese herbal medicines; however, they are not shown to improve hot flushes, anxiety or low mood.
• Isoflavones (Phytoestrogens) and soya products – plant substances found in the diet including Red Clover supplements. Results appear to be variable and generally show little value. As they have oestrogen like properties, they should be avoided with breast cancer.
• Acupuncture – some women report improvement in their symptoms however there is little evidence to support this.