• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.90-98
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• 2008

Purpose: Menopausal syndrome is caused by urgent changes of sex hormone in women. The hormonal therapy can soothe the problems of menopausal patients, but it can increase the probability of another disease, such as breast cancer, heart attack, etc. So the demand of alternative herb therapy is increasing in Western countries. In Korea, herbal medicine is imported and used by Western doctors. To know and use the alternative herbal medicine, Korean Medical doctors should know their efficacy and safety. Methods: We researched the Medline(Pubmed) with the key word such as 'CAM', 'herb' and 'menopause'. We selected the herbs known as treating the menopausal syndrome and researched the similar or same herbs that are used in Korean medicine by the scientific name and efficient ingredients. To evaluate the efficacy of the herbs, we compared the herbs that were differently defined in alternative and Korean medicine Results: Balm, black cohosh, chaste berry, dong quai. evening primrose oil. ginkgo, St. John's wort, valerian root, and sarsaparilla were chosen as prevalent herbs used in alternative medicine. The pharmacologic effect of Black cohosh, licorice root, St. John's wort were recognized. But these three herbs are not usually prescripted for menopausal patients in Korean medicine. So we could apply these three herbs as one of Korean medical treatments. The efficacy of other herbs cannot be surely prescripted for menopausal patients. Conclusion: The efficacy and safety of alternative medicine is not proved yet. But to diversify the treatmental methods of Korean medicine, we need to prove and use these medicine as one of Korean medical treatment.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.57-61
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• 2020

Purpose: Purpose: This study was to study the effect of foot bathing on menopausal symptoms and sleep disorders in female subjects in their 50s with menopausal symptoms. Methods: After 12 weeks of foot bath therapy three times a week, pre- and post-menopausal signs were measured. Results: Subjects with hot flashes, heart discomfort, sleep problems, depression, irritability, anxiety, physical and mental fatigue, sexual problems, urination problems, vaginal dryness, and joint and muscle discomfort significantly improved after than before(p < .001). Subjective sleep quality, sleep incubation period, sleep duration, sleep disturbance score, sleep drug use, and sleep dysfunction significantly decreased after foot bath than before(p < .001). Habitual sleep efficiency increased considerably. Conclusions: The subjects showed overall improvement in menopausal symptoms and sleeping quality after a foot-bath. Therefore, foot bath therapy is evaluated as a natural healing therapy suitable for improving menopausal symptoms and sleep.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.86-103
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyse the domestic trends of Traditional Korean Medicine on Hot flush in menopausal women. Methods: We searched six databases and selected relevant papers according to the criteria. Results: 12 papers included case report, literature review, randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs), Non-RCTs, and retrospective chart analysis study design. 1. The daily diary, Kupperman's Index, Menopause Rating Scale, Menopause-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire, Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging were used as a measure of the symptoms of hot flush. 2. There were significant correlations between Thermographic images, Pulse energy, Lifestyle Habits, Low frequency power/High frequency power (LF/HF) ratio and certain items of Menopausal Symptoms Measurement. 3. The case report using Er-Xian decoction and Hwangryunhaedoktang-Gamibang showed significant effect. 4. Domestic RCT studies using herbal or acupuncture treatments showed a significant value of 3.4 on average in the quality assessment conducted in the study. However, the number of domestic studies included was five, which is not enough compared to foreign countries. Conclusions: This study examined domestic research trends on hot flushes of menopausal women and found that various evaluation tools and diagnostic methods were applied. It is necessary to conduct various RCT studies in Korea, where the number of studies is insufficient compared to overseas.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.133.2-134
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• 2001

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2008

Objectives To investigate the relationship between Heart Rate Variability and menopause among obese middle-aged women in Korea. Subjects and Methods Forty middle-aged women (age 49.05 $\pm$ 2.64 years) with BMI > $23kg/m^2$ were recruited by local advertisement. Blood profiles of estrogen, FSH, LH, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride were measured. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) was estimated by short-term spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were accessed using Computerized Tomography (CT), Bioimpedance Analysis (BIA), and anthropometry. To scrutinize the influence of ANS on obesity-related factors, we divided the subjects into pre- and post-menopausal women. Results The total cholesterol, FSH and LH were significantly higher in post-menopausal obese women group. The estradiol and standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals (SDNN), high-frequency components (HF) of the HRV were significantly lower in postmenopausal obese women group (P<0.05). Adipose tissue distribution and blood profiles were not significantly different between two groups. Conclusion Menopause induced a decrease in SDNN and HF values and increase in total cholesterol level in obese women although the VAT itself was not related with ANS in obese women.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.71-80
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of Carthami-Flos Pharmacopuncture on posterior neck pain of menopausal women. Methods: We treated 20 female patients with neck pain patient(45-60 yr) into two groups and treated Group A with Carthami-Flos Pharmacopuncture and common acupuncture and Group B with common acupuncture. The efficacy of treatment was measured by VAS, NDI and MENQOL scores of before and after 30 days to start treatment. Results: Both group A and B represented effective improvement in VAS and NDI of neck pain and MENQOL scores. And group A was more effective than B group statistically. Conclusions: It was suggested that Carthami-Flos Pharmacopuncture treatment might have effect on posterior neck pain treatment of menopausal women.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.sup1
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• pp.147-159
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Complementary and alternative medicines can be used to alleviate climacteric symptoms that significantly affect the quality of life of postmenopausal women. Isoflavones are the most common plant-based therapies for postmenopausal changes, but the results of previous studies have been controversial. MATERIALS/METHODS: To investigate whether isoflavones would affect menopausal symptoms as well as ovarian hormones, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. The PubMed and EMBASE databases were used to perform the systematic search. Included studies were limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the impact of isoflavone supplementation on menopausal symptoms. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included for the final quantitative assessment. Isoflavone intervention was varied between 49.3 and 135 mg of isoflavones per day for 12 wk-2 yrs. The meta-analysis showed that supplementation of isoflavones significantly increased the estradiol levels (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.615, P = 0.035) and Kupperman index (SMD = 3.121, P = 0.003) but had no significant effect on hot flashes, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. However, both estradiol and the Kupperman index showed significant heterogeneity among studies (I² = 94.7%, P < 0.001 and I² = 98.1%, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although the results showed a significant SMD in estradiol and the Kupperman index, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the high heterogeneity. Further validation with a larger RCT will be necessary. Overall, isoflavone supplementation has distinct effects on the climacteric symptoms and hormonal changes in postmenopausal women.

• CELLMED
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• v.13 no.14
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• pp.17.1-17.23
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• 2023

Menopause is a physiological phase experienced by all women as part of normal aging known as menopause. Per se, menopause is not a disease, but hormonal imbalance may lead to menopausal symptoms in some women. The unani physician described that in Sinn-i-Inḥiṭāṭ/ Sinn al-Yās, Burūdat (coldness) increases lead to Ihtibās al-Tamth (amenorrhea) that can occur naturally. Besides, Khilt Dam (blood) production decreases from the liver, slight production occurs, tends towards Burūdat. Therefore, at this age, Ihtibās al-Tamth is associated with Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās(menopausalsymptoms) including weight gain, loss of appetite, hirsutism, fatigue, headache, backache, arthralgia, neck pain, general myalgia, nervousness, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The traditional Unani manuscripts are enriched with knowledge for the management of Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās. Consequently, an extensive exploration of classical texts concerning the management of Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās was undertaken. Moreover, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and other indexing databases were thoroughly explored for evidence-based approaches to managing menopausalsymptoms. The principle management as per Unani texts is to treat the cause of Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās. Unani medicines with emmenagogue, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective properties are beneficial for the amelioration of Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās. Unani Herbs such as Asgandh, Aslusūs, Khārkhasak, Tagar, Shuneez, Ustukhuddus, Zafran, and Majūn Najāh possess properties and are proven scientifically for their efficacy in Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās. Hence, the substantiation and preservation of traditional knowledge assume paramount importance in facilitating prospective research and proving invaluable in the modern era. Moreover, the conduct of randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses becomes imperative.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.109-119
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to measure serum lipids concentrations by gender and age, and to investigated the relation of serum lipids levels to cigarette smoking alcohol intake exercise and menopausal status in Korean adults. The subjects consisted of 463 healthy adult(29- men and 173 women) volunteers who were visiting the health Promotion Center in the Asan Medical Center from July 1, 1994 to July 22, 1994 Subjects were ambulatory free-living people and aged 20- 80 years, Anthropometric measurement was performed and serum triglyceride(TG), HDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol(TChol) concentrations were measure by automatic system(Hitachi 736-40). Data on life styles were obtained using structured questionnaires issued by a trained interviewer, All data were statistically analyzed by PC-SAS(Version 6.04) Serum concentrations of triglyceride and total cholesterol was higher(p<0.05) in men than in women, and serum HDL-cholesterol was lower(p<0.05) in men than in women. The prevalence of hyperlipidemia(TG>170 mg/dL and TChol>220 mg /dL) was 12.5% in men and 4.1% in women. The levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and BMI increased with age in women. The distribution curves of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol of women were located in lower increased more rapidly with aging than in men, The distribution curves of BMI of women increased with aging after the thirties, The BMI of women was located in higher levels than of men in their sixties. The serum concentration of triglyceride and total cholesterol of male current-smokers and non- smokers were significantly(p<0.05) higher than those of ex-smokers. The concentrations triglyceride the male current0drinkers were higher(p<0.05) than those of male non-drinkers. In non-smokers and non- drinkers, serum TG concentration were lower (p<0.05) than those of current-smokers and current-drinkers. In exercisers, the serum triglyceride concentration was significantly(p<0.05) lower than in non- exercisers. In postmenopausal woman BMI and serum concentrations of TChol, TG and LDL-Chol were significantly by age and gender and smoking alcohol drinking, exercise and menopausal staus might be a better indicator to predict serum lipids in both genders.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2000

We carried out a case-control study to investigate protective effect of lactating against breast cancer in Korea. Cases (n=108) were the newly histologically identified breast cancer between December 1997 and August 1999. Hospital-based controls were selected by frequency matching method with age ($\pm$4 age) and menopausal status from the patients at the same hospital in the plastic surgery, general surgery and opthalmology department. Interviews included information on general characteristics of subjects, disease history, family history of breast cancer, vitamin supplementation, alcohol intake, food intake, and reproductive factors as well as lactation history. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were calculated by using unconditional logistic regression. Age distribution of case control subjects were similar. Late menarche age $\geq$ 17 in premenopausal women was related to the lower risk of breast cancer OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.28-0.91. Family history of breast cancer was related to the higher risk of breast cancer only in premenopausal women (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.35-2.71). Higher body mass index mass index (> 30) were associated with higher risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. For premenopausal women, women who had lactated $\geq$ 12 months to the first child had a significantly lower risk (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.24-0.97) than the women had no breast feeding experience. However, results from postmenopausal women did not show an association with decreased breast cancer risk. These findings suggest that lactation may be a protective factor of breast cancer in Korean women.