Gynaecology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Gynaecology, including details on pap smears, laparoscopy, ultrasound, hysteroscopy.

The use of herbs and dietary supplements in gynecology: an evidence-based review.

Dennehy CE

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California San Francisco, 521 Parnassus Avenue, Suite C-152, Box 0622, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. dennehyc@pharmacy.ucsf.edu <dennehyc@pharmacy.ucsf.edu>

Consumers frequently use herbs and dietary supplements to treat chronic conditions that are poorly responsive to prescription drugs or when prescription drugs carry a high side effect burden. Women may use herbs and supplements for chronic gynecologic conditions, such as menopause, premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, cyclic mastalgia, and infertility. This review is an evidence-based evaluation of herbs and supplements for these conditions. Therapies that carry a higher level of support from randomized controlled trial evidence include black cohosh for menopause; vitamins B(1) and E for dysmenorrhea; calcium, vitamin B(6), and chasteberry for premenstrual syndrome; and chasteberry for cyclic mastalgia. There were too few trials involving herbs and supplements in infertility to warrant a solid recommendation, but chasteberry, antioxidants, and Fertility Blend have some preliminary support. Midwives may want to consider these alternatives in addition to more traditional treatment options when meeting with patients.

Published 3 November 2006 in J Midwifery Womens Health, 51(6): 402-9.
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