Family Medicine Physicians′ Advice about Use of Nonconventional Modalities for Menopausal Symptom Management

Abstract

These data reveal some important trends about how family medicine physicians respond to nontraditional approaches for menopausal symptom management. Because family medicine physicians typically receive some training in behavioral and psychotherapeutic approaches and there is some evidence for the effectiveness of behavioral strategies in menopausal symptom management, it is not surprising that they are more likely to endorse these approaches. Most family medicine physicians, however, have little or no training in the other nonconventional modalities, and our data show that these modalities received lower levels of endorsement, suggesting that physicians are not clear on their advantages or disadvantages.

The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicines Among a Sample of Canadian Menopausal‐Aged Women

“…In a survey of naturopathic patients (n = 174), 69.9% who responded said that their primary care physician did not ask them about their use of natural products 43. In a survey of US physicians (n = 212), most physicians did not provide any advice to their patients when they inquired about CAM use for menopausal symptoms 47. It seems prudent for the clinician to assume that menopausal women are likely to at least be thinking about some type of CAM therapy and to provide some information to their patients.…”

“…43 In a survey of US physicians (n = 212), most physicians did not provide any advice to their patients when they inquired about CAM use for menopausal symptoms. 47 It seems prudent for the clinician to assume that menopausal women are likely to at least be thinking about some type of CAM therapy and to provide some information to their patients. This seems to be especially important since menopausal-aged women do not think they are sufficiently informed to make decisions about CAM options.…”