Menopause: changes in a woman's body and ways to relieve the symptoms (A literature review)

Authors

  • A. Dosan НАО МУК
  • N.Kh. Omirali
  • Zh. Shaniyozova
  • D.V. Zubkov
  • U.M. Abdimuratova

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37800/RM.2.2025.487

Keywords:

menopause, climacteric syndrome, hormonal therapy (HT), phytoestrogens, dietary supplements, physiotherapy

Abstract

Relevance: Menopause is accompanied by significant hormonal and metabolic changes in a woman's body, which lead to the development of vasomotor symptoms, cognitive impairment, and an increased risk of osteoporosis. Timely therapy and the use of various treatment methods remain an urgent problem for improving the quality of life of women during this period.

The study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of modern methods of symptom relief in perimenopause.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature over the past five years was conducted, including articles from PubMed, Elsevier, and Web of Science. The analysis included a comparative study of the effectiveness of various treatment methods based on clinical trials and meta-analyses.

Results: Hormonal therapy remains the most effective method for treating vasomotor symptoms, but is associated with the risks of thrombosis and cancer. Phytoestrogen-based drugs, such as soy isoflavones and red clover extracts, have shown moderate efficacy with minimal side effects. Dietary supplements containing calcium and vitamin D increased bone mineral density, and omega-3 fatty acids reduced inflammatory markers. Physiotherapeutic methods, such as magnetic and laser therapy, have proven useful in reducing the intensity of symptoms.

Conclusion: Modern approaches to treating climacteric symptoms require individualization of therapy, taking into account the characteristics of each patient. The combined use of the treatment methods presented in the review significantly improves the quality of life of menopausal women. Further research is needed to optimize treatment approaches.

References

Prodromidou A, Zacharakis D, Athanasiou S, Kathopoulis N, Varthaliti A, Douligeris A, Michala L, Athanasiou V, Salvatore

S, Grigoriadis T. CO2 Laser versus Sham Control for the Management of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: A

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Personal Med. 2023;13(12):1694.

https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13121694

Gu Y, Zhou G, Zhou F, Wu Q, Ma C, Zhang Y, Ding J, Hua K. Life Modifications and PCOS: Old Story But New Tales. Front

Endocrinol. 2022;13:808898.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.808898

Danan ER, Sowerby C, Ullman KE, Ensrud K, Forte ML, Zerzan N, Anthony M, Kalinowski C, Abdi HI, Friedman JK,

Landsteiner A, Greer N, Nardos R, Fok C, Dahm P, Butler M, Wilt TJ, Diem S. Hormonal treatments and vaginal moisturizers

for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: a systematic review. Ann Intern Med. 2024;177(10):1400-1414.

https://doi.org/10.7326/ANNALS-24-00610

Brown K, Theofanous D, Britton RG, Aburido G, Pepper C, Sri Undru S, Howells L. Resveratrol for the management of

human health: how far have we come? A systematic review of resveratrol clinical trials to highlight gaps and opportunities.

Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(2):747.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25020747

Aarshageetha P, Janci PRR, Tharani ND. Role of alternate therapies to improve the quality of life in menopausal women: a

systematic review. J Midlife Health. 2023;14(3):153-158.

https://doi.org/10.4103/jmh.jmh_222_22

Xu H, Liu J, Li P, Liang Y. Effects of mind-body exercise on perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a systematic

review and meta-analysis. Menopause. 2024;31(5):457-467.

https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000002336

Hafidh B, Baradwan S, Latifah HM, Gari A, Sabban H, Abduljabbar HH, Tawfiq A, Hakeem GF, Alkaff A, Alzawawi

N, Iskandarani R, Khurshid K, Syed KA, Alkhiary AY, Bukhari IA, Baalharith MA, Abu-Zaid A. CO2 laser therapy

for management of stress urinary incontinence in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ther Adv Urol.

;15:17562872231210216.

https://doi.org/10.1177/17562872231210216

Soliman AT, Alaaraj N, De Sanctis V, Hamed N, Alyafei F, Ahmed S. Long-term health consequences of central precocious/

early puberty (CPP) and treatment with Gn-RH analogue: a short update. Acta Biomed. 2023;94(6):e2023222.

https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v94i6.15316

Guedes De Aguiar EO, Moreira Marconi E, Monteiro-Oliveira BB, Gomes-Santos AC, Coelho Oliveira AC, Paineiras-

Domingos LL, Sá-Caputo DC, Bernardo Filho M. Whole-body vibration exercise improves the functionality in

postmenopausal women: a systematic review. Iran J Public Health. 2023;52(3):476-487.

https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v52i3.12131

1Li J, Liu F, Liu Z, Li M, Wang Y, Shang Y, Li Y. Prevalence and associated factors of depression in postmenopausal women:

a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry. 2024;24(1):431.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05875-0

Hussain I, Talaulikar VS. A systematic review of randomised clinical trials – the safety of vaginal hormones and selective

estrogen receptor modulators for the treatment of genitourinary menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors. Post Reprod

Health. 2023;29(4):222-231.

https://doi.org/10.1177/20533691231208473

Barańska A, Kanadys W, Bogdan M, Stępień E, Barczyński B, Kłak A, Augustynowicz A, Szajnik M, Religioni U. The

role of soy isoflavones in the prevention of bone loss in postmenopausal women: a systematic review with meta-analysis of

randomized controlled trials. J Clin Med. 2022;11(16):4676.

https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11164676

Lialy HE, Mohamed MA, AbdAllatif LA, Khalid M, Elhelbawy A. Effects of different physiotherapy modalities on insomnia

and depression in perimenopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal women: a systematic review. BMC Womens Health.

;23(1):363.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02515-9

Nguyen TM, Do TTT, Tran TN, Kim JH. Exercise and quality of life in women with menopausal symptoms: a systematic

review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(19):7049.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197049

Capel-Alcaraz AM, García-López H, Castro-Sánchez AM, Fernández-Sánchez M, Lara-Palomo IC. The efficacy of strength

exercises for reducing the symptoms of menopause: a systematic review. J Clin Med. 2023;12(2):548.

https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12020548

Sarmento ACA, Costa APF, Lírio J, Eleutério J Jr, Baptista PV, Gonçalves AK. Efficacy of hormonal and nonhormonal

approaches to vaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunctions in postmenopausal women: a systematic review. Rev Bras Ginecol

Obstet. 2022;44(10):986-994.

https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1756148

Sun W, Han Y, Gu S. Effects of five types of exercise on vascular function in postmenopausal women: a network metaanalysis

and systematic review of 32 randomized controlled trials. Peer J. 2024;12:e17621.

https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17621

Han B, Duan Y, Zhang P, Zeng L, Pi P, Chen J, Du G. Effects of exercise on depression and anxiety in postmenopausal

women: a pairwise and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Public Health. 2024;24(1):1816.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19348-2

Walsh GS, Delextrat A, Bibbey A. The comparative effect of exercise interventions on balance in perimenopausal and

early postmenopausal women: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised, controlled trials. Maturitas.

;175:107790.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2023.107790

Nunes PRP, Castro-E-Souza P, de Oliveira AA, Camilo BF, Cristina-Souza G, Vieira-Souza LM, Carneiro MADS. Effect

of resistance training volume on body adiposity, metabolic risk, and inflammation in postmenopausal and older females:

systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Sport Health Sci. 2024;13(2):145–159.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2023.09.012

Zhou WS, Mao SJ, Zhang SK, Xu H, Li WL. Effects of aquatic exercises on physical fitness and quality of life in

postmenopausal women: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Public Health. 2023;11:1126126.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1126126

Ortiz M, Koch AK, Cramer H, Linde K, Rotter G, Teut M, Brinkhaus B, Haller H. Clinical effects of Kneipp hydrotherapy: a

systematic review of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Open. 2023;13(7):e070951.

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070951

Hou J, Mao H, Xie P, Cui Y, Rong M. The effect of different traditional Chinese exercises on bone mineral density in

menopausal women: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Front Public Health. 2024;12:1430608.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1430608

Gazoni FM, Civile VT, Atallah ÁN, Santos FC, Trevisani VFM. Intravenous zoledronate for postmenopausal women with

osteopenia and osteoporosis: a systematic review and metanalysis. Sao Paulo Med J. 2023;141(6):e2022480.

https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2022.0480.R1.27032023

Dubey VP, Sureja VP, Kheni DB. Efficacy evaluation of standardized Rheum rhaponticum root extract (ERr 731®) on

symptoms of menopause: a systematic review and meta-analysis study. J Biomed Res. 2024;38(3):278-286.

https://doi.org/10.7555/JBR.37.20230219

Wu CK, Tseng PT, Wu MK, Li DJ, Chen TY, Kuo FC, Stubbs B, Carvalho AF, Chen YW, Lin PY, Cheng YS, Sun CK.

Antidepressants during and after menopausal transition: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):8026.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-64910-8

Wu CK, Tseng PT, Wu MK, Li DJ, Chen TY, Kuo FC, Stubbs B, Carvalho AF, Chen YW, Lin PY, Cheng YS, Sun CK.

Author correction: Antidepressants during and after menopausal transition: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep.

;12(1):14781.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-18882-6

Iolascon G, de Sire A, Curci C, Paoletta M, Liguori S, Calafiore D, Gimigliano F, Moretti A. Osteoporosis guidelines

from a rehabilitation perspective: systematic analysis and quality appraisal using AGREE II. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med.

;57(2):273-279.

https://doi.org/10.23736/S1973-9087.21.06581-3

DadeMatthews OO, Agostinelli PJ, Neal FK, Oladipupo SO, Hirschhorn RM, Wilson AE, Sefton JM. Systematic review and

meta-analyses on the effects of whole-body vibration on bone health. Complement Ther Med. 2022;65:102811.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102811

Shojaa M, Von Stengel S, Schoene D, Kohl M, Barone G, Bragonzoni L, Dallolio L, Marini S, Murphy MH, Stephenson A,

Mänty M, Julin M, Risto T, Kemmler W. Effect of exercise training on bone mineral density in post-menopausal women: a

systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies. Front Physiol. 2020;11:652.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.00652

Feduniw S, Korczyńska L, Górski K, Zgliczyńska M, Bączkowska M, Byrczak M, Kociuba J, Ali M, Ciebiera M. The effect

of vitamin E supplementation in postmenopausal women: a systematic review. Nutrients. 2022;15(1):160.

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15010160

Grisotto G, Farago JS, Taneri PE, Wehrli F, Roa-Díaz ZM, Minder B, Glisic M, Gonzalez-Jaramillo V, Voortman T, Marques-

Vidal P, Franco OH, Muka T. Dietary factors and onset of natural menopause: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Maturitas. 2022;159:15-32.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.12.008

Yang M, Wen S, Zhang J, Peng J, Shen X, Xu L. Systematic review and meta-analysis: changes of gut microbiota before and

after menopause. Dis Markers. 2022;2022:3767373.

https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3767373

Гребенникова Г., Джаимбетова А., Рослякова А. Оценка качества жизни женщин в периоде менопаузального перехода.

Репродуктивная медицина (Центральная Азия). 2024;3:92-100.

Grebennikova G, Dzhaimbetova A, Roslyakova A. Assessment of the quality of life of women during the menopausal

transition. Reproductive Medicine (Central Asia). 2024;3:92-100. Russian.

https://doi.org/10.37800/RM.3.2024.92-100

Zhao Y, Wang W, Wang X, Xu D, Zhang X, Zhang J. Effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on bone metabolism in

postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Maturitas. 2017;104:8-14.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.07.002

Published

01.07.2025

How to Cite

Dosan, A., Omirali, N., Shaniyozova, Z., Zubkov, D., & Abdimuratova, U. (2025). Menopause: changes in a woman’s body and ways to relieve the symptoms (A literature review). Reproductive Medicine (Central Asia), (2), 61–68. https://doi.org/10.37800/RM.2.2025.487

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Similar Articles

<< < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.