ObjectivesTo critically assess the effect of aromatherapy on the psychological symptoms as noted in the postmenopausal and elderly women.MethodsThree following databases were systematically searched: MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane Library (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) from inception to January 2018. The search keywords included ‘menopause’ AND (aromatherapy), without language restrictions.ResultsIn this study, 4 trials were included which fit into our systematic review. The findings demonstrated that the aromatherapy massage have significantly improved psychological symptoms in menopausal and elderly women as compared to the control group (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −1.24; 95% confidence interval, −0.188 to −0.606; P < 0.001 random effect model; 3 trials, moderate to high heterogeneity, I2 = 0.76; P = 0.028). According to 1 of the trials, the aromatherapy oil massage was no more effective than the untreated group regarding their experience of symptoms such as nervousness.ConclusionsThe aromatherapy may be beneficial in attenuating the psychological symptoms that these women may experience, such as anxiety and depression, but it is not considered as an effective treatment to manage nervousness symptom among menopausal women. This finding should be observed in light of study limitations.

Objectives The present systematic review was conducted to compare the effect of lavender on the quality of sleep, sexual desire, and vasomotor, psychological and physical symptoms among menopausal and elderly women. Methods There were five electronic databases which selected to search respective articles which included were Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library without any language restriction since the study inception to March 10, 2018. The quality of studies was assessed in accordance with a jaded scale. Results According to three trials, the lavender as utilized in a capsule form or aromatherapy could significantly improve the measured Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score ( P < 0.05) in the menopausal and elderly women. The aromatherapy with lavender improved sexual function ( P < 0.001), depression ( P < 0.001), anxiety ( P < 0.001), and physical ( P < 0.001) symptoms. Based on a trial, 66.7%, 70.0%, and 53.3% of subjects reported feelings of relaxation, happiness, and cleanness effects of having used lavender respectively. Conclusions The results suggested the effectiveness of the use of lavender either in capsule form or aromatherapy on the improved quality of sleep, depression, anxiety, sexual desire, and psychological and physical symptoms. These results, however, should be interpreted with caution considering the limitations of the study.

The aim of this overview was to evaluate the effectiveness of phytoestrogens on vaginal health and dyspareunia in peri-and post-menopausal women. Material and methods: Three databases including MEDLINE, Scopus and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were from inception to August 2017. Result: Two systematic reviews and 11 RCTs were included in the overview. According to the findings, isoflavones increased the maturation value and attenuated the vaginal atrophy in the post-menopausal women. Topical isoflavones had beneficial effects on the vaginal atrophy. Similar efficacy was found in Pueraria mirifica and conjugated estrogen cream on dryness (p ¼ 0.277), soreness (p ¼ 0.124) and irritation (p ¼ 0.469), as well as discharge (p ¼ 0.225) and dyspareunia (p ¼ 0.089). However, the conjugated estrogen cream was more effective compared to Pueraria mirifica (p > 0.005) regarding maturation index improvement. Comparison of fennel 5% vaginal cream and placebo gel showed significant difference in superficial cells (p < 0.01), parabasal cells (p < 0.01) and intermediate cells (p < 0.01), whereas no difference was found between the oral fennel and placebo in terms of superficial, parabasal and intermediate cells as well as Maturation value. Administration of 80 mg red clover oil had a significant effect on superficial (p < 0.005), intermediate (p < 0.005) and parabasal and vaginal dryness (p < 0.005) compared to the placebo. Flaxseed had also a trivial effect on maturation value. Genistein had a more prominent effect on the genital score. The severity of dyspareunia decreased by 27%. Conclusion: Phytoestrogens have various effects based on administration route and type on the vaginal atrophy.

ObjectivesThe current overview aimed to present the effect of herbal medicines on cognitive function among menopausal women.MethodsTwo separate authors performed systematic search of the 3 databases of (the MEDLINE Scopus and the Cochrane Central Register Trials) from inception to January 2018. Methodological quality of each study was assessed using the AMSTAR.ResultsAccording to 2 reviews, soy seems to be effective in enhancing summary cognitive function and visual memory. The effect of isoflavones on cognition was affected by treatment duration as six weeks of treatment improved some dimensions of cognitive parameters, including mental flexibility and planning, and longer treatment period (6 months) improved category digit span test, digit symbol test, and visual scanning test score. The effect of phytoestrogen on cognitive function of menopausal women might be altered age, gender, ethnicity, menopausal status, dosage, and length of treatment, types of cognitive test, location, types of soy, and types of phytoestrogen. Combination of Gingko with ginseng could not improve sustained attention, episode memory, category generation or frontal lobe function. Gingko biloba had no significant effect on planning, memory and sustained attention, except for its limited effect on mental flexibility in late menopause. In addition, other herbal medicines like black cohosh showed no effective beneficial.ConclusionsPhytoestrogen, soy and isoflavones might have a limited beneficial effect on some aspects of cognition. The phytoestrogens affecting cognition might be modified by age, gender, ethnicity, menopausal status, dosage, and length of treatment, types of cognitive test, location, types of soy, and types of phytoestrogen.

ObjectivesSome conventional medications used to treat insomnia, such as benzodiazepine, non-benzodiazepine, and hormone therapy, are associated with side effects. Therefore, there is a growing interest in the use of herbal medicine. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the effects herbal medicines have on sleep disorders of peri- and postmenopausal women.MethodsThree databases were searched including MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library from inception to March 2018.ResultsSix trials assessed the effect of soy on sleep disorders. Forrest plot for 2 studies showed that the standardized mean difference (SMD) of the sleep problems was lower in the soy group than the placebo group (SMD = −0.996; P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval, −1.42 to −0.563). Three trials showed soy had no significant effect on sleep disorders and one study showed a positive effect on sleep disorders. Accordingly, it is difficult to reach a definite conclusion regarding the effects of soy on sleep disorders based on these findings. According to a trial, significant beneficial effect associated with taking Schisandra chinensis. Findings suggested that some herbal medicines like red clover, lavender combined with bitter orange and pin bark extract had attenuating effects on sleep disorders. After intake of 530 mg of valerian twice a day for one month, statistically significant effects were observed regarding the quality of sleep of postmenopausal women.ConclusionsThe present systematic review and meta-analysis found inadequate evidence to draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of herbal medications, especially soy.