Aromatherapy Massage Affects Menopausal Symptoms in Korean Climacteric Women: A Pilot‐Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of aromatherapy massage on menopausal symptoms in Korean climacteric women. Kupperman's menopausal index was used to compare an experimental group of 25 climacteric women with a wait-listed control group of 27 climacteric women. Aromatherapy was applied topically to subjects in the experimental group in the form of massage on the abdomen, back and arms using lavender, rose geranium, rose and jasmine in almond and primrose oils once a week for 8 weeks (eight times in total). The experimental group reported a significantly lower total menopausal index than wait-listed controls (P < 0.05). There were also significant intergroup differences in subcategories such as vasomotor, melancholia, arthralgia and myalgia (all P < 0.05). These findings suggest that aromatherapy massage may be an effective treatment of menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, depression and pain in climacteric women. However, it could not be verified whether the positive effects were from the aromatherapy, the massage or both. Further rigorous studies should be done with more objective measures.

The Impact of Ginkgo biloba Tablet and Aromatherapy Inhaler Combination on Sexual Function in Females During Postmenopausal Period: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Geranium extract reduces menopausal symptoms and depression (25). Aroma therapy reduces climacteric symptoms such as hot flashes, depression and pain during intercourse (25,31). In a study by Malakoti et al on the effect of aromatherapy on sexual function of lactating women, improvement was observed in lactating women 40 days after the use of aroma (32).…”

“…The participants had used aromatherapy massage 30 minutes a week for 8 weeks (31). In a study by Marzouk et al on nursing students …”

Effect of aromatherapy massage on menopausal symptoms

“…These findings are similar to those of an earlier study that examined the effect of aromatherapy massage on women experiencing menopausal symptoms. 23 Another uncontrolled trial, which examined the impact of aromatherapy massage on menopausal symptoms, showed improvement of menopausal symptoms through aromatherapy massage. 24 As the results of our study showed, massage therapy also has positive effects because of the lower score averages reported by the placebo massage group after the intervention.…”

“…21,22 However, to our knowledge, there are few studies related to menopause. Despite the results of some studies 23,24 that show the potential usefulness of aromatherapy in treating menopause, scientific research on the subject is limited. We have been unable to find any previously published studies of the effect of aromatherapy on menopausal symptoms in Iran.…”

Modulation of Smooth Muscle Relaxation by Short and Long Carbon Based Chemicals

“…[1][2][3] Beyond these sensory and psychological benefits, the topical use of some plant-derived chemicals has been shown to cause smooth muscle relaxation. [4][5][6][7] The long-chained plantderived carbon based chemicals 1,8-cineole ( Figure 1a) and α-pinene ( Figure 1b) and the short-chained plant-derived carbon based chemicals cis-3-hexen-1-ol ( Figure 1c) and trans-2-hexenal ( Figure 1d) may also have smooth muscle relaxing properties. Mechanisms by which organic chemicals may induce smooth muscle relaxation include impeding the propagation of NTIs, reducing EJCs or uncoupling the syncytium of smooth muscle cells.…”