Menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors: management update

Yoga and meditation for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors—A randomized controlled trial

“…In hormone receptor‐positive breast cancer survivors, antiestrogen treatment often induces or aggravates menopausal symptoms . Because hormone‐replacement therapy is normally contraindicated in these women, they only have very limited treatment options for menopausal symptoms, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, for treating hot flashes . Lifestyle modifications, mainly regular exercise, also are recommended to improve hot flashes and arthralgia and to reduce the risk of osteoarthritis; the evidence for other lifestyle interventions like relaxation or breathing techniques is promising but is not sufficient to recommend them for use in clinical practice …”

“…3,4 Because hormone-replacement therapy is normally contraindicated in these women, 5 they only have very limited treatment options for menopausal symptoms, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, for treating hot flashes. 6,7 Lifestyle modifications, mainly regular exercise, also are recommended to improve hot flashes and arthralgia and to reduce the risk of osteoarthritis; the evidence for other lifestyle interventions like relaxation or breathing techniques is promising but is not sufficient to recommend them for use in clinical practice. 6,7 Although yoga is rooted in Indian philosophy and has been a part of traditional Indian spiritual practice for millennia, 8,9 it has been adapted by Western societies for use in complementary and alternative medicine.…”

“…6,7 Lifestyle modifications, mainly regular exercise, also are recommended to improve hot flashes and arthralgia and to reduce the risk of osteoarthritis; the evidence for other lifestyle interventions like relaxation or breathing techniques is promising but is not sufficient to recommend them for use in clinical practice. 6,7 Although yoga is rooted in Indian philosophy and has been a part of traditional Indian spiritual practice for millennia, 8,9 it has been adapted by Western societies for use in complementary and alternative medicine. 10 In the latter setting, yoga is most often associated with physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana); and different yoga schools have emerged that put various focus on physical and mental practices.…”

Role of Hormone Replacement Therapy in Young Women Suffering from Menopausal Symptoms of Cancer —A Concise Review

“…However, they are more abrupt and persistent [3]. They include: 1) Hot flashes: A hot flash is defined as a subjective sensation of heat along with the objective signs of cutaneous vasodilatation and a subsequent drop in core temperature.…”

“…5) Musculoskeletal symptoms: These women have loss of bone mineral density. Osteoporosis and arthralgia may be worsened by aromatase inhibitors [3].…”