Current Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Treatment of Premature Ovarian Failure: An Update Review

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses a wide range of different non-mainstream therapies that have been increasingly used for the treatment or adjunct treatment of various ailments, with premature ovarian failure (POF) being one of the most common conditions treated with CAM. This review updates the progress of CAM in the treatment of POF, and we focus specifically on reviewing the evidence for the efficacy and mechanisms of a range of CAM treatments in POF, including single herbal medicines and their active ingredients, compound Chinese medicines, acupuncture and moxibustion, psychotherapy, exercise, vitamins, massage, and dietary supplements. According to the literature, CAM is very helpful for improving POF symptoms, and we hope to provide some instructive suggestions for clinical treatment and experimental research in the future. However, more clinical trials are needed to prove the safety of CAM.