Apitherapy for menopausal problems
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GYNECOLOGIC ENDOCRINOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE
Apitherapy for menopausal problems Karsten Münstedt1 · Heidrun Männle1 Received: 28 May 2020 / Accepted: 9 July 2020 © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Purpose Apitherapy, a method from the field of complementary and alternative medicine, claims that all health problems including menopausal problems can be cured using bee products, especially honey, bee-collected pollen, propolis, and royal jelly. This study was to investigate the recommendations of protagonists of holistic apitherapy and compare these to the current evidence. Methods Since holistic apitherapy is only promoted in books and apitherapeutical congresses, we identified books on the topic in English, French, and German language via bookseller platforms and the JUSTfind system of the Justus-LiebigUniversity Gießen, Germany, which comprises 337 databases from the EBSCO Discovery Service. Results Only 29.5% (n = 38) of the apitherapy books mentioned the topic of menopausal problems. Among these, there were 24 different recommendations. Royal jelly is the number one recommended therapy, followed by pollen, the combination of pollen and royal jelly, and propolis. All other recommendations are mentioned just once. The recommendation regarding royal jelly must be regarded as correct. Strictly speaking, evidence regarding bee-collected pollen is poor, since all studies on pollen did not investigate pollen directly, but pollen extracts and these pollens came from pollen that was anemophilous but not entomophilous. Conclusion Royal jelly and pollen could be interesting treatment options in cases of menopausal symptoms. In order to promote bee products for menopausal symptoms with a good conscience trials, comparing bee products against other options, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, C. racemosa extracts, and/or yoga should be initiated, since these methods have already proven their value. Keywords Apitherapy · Honey pollen · Royal jelly · Menopausal problems
Introduction Later in life, the production of hormones in a woman’s ovaries decreases. This will typically cause her periods to become irregular until they stop permanently. This typically occurs between 49 and 52 years of age. However, it may occur earlier in women who smoke or who have undergone a hysterectomy. During this time, 80–85% of women experience hot flashes as well as several somatic, urogenital, and psychological changes. Patients’ problems may include vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, and mood changes. Also, the severity of symptoms may vary between women.
* Karsten Münstedt karsten.muenstedt@ortenau‑klinikum.de 1
Ortenau Klinikum Offenburg-Kehl, Ebertplatz 12, 77654 Offenburg, Germany
Women with severe symptoms should be offered possibilities for the relief of symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy has proven efficacy; however, the publication of the Women’s Health Initiative has raised concerns about safety. Although the study referred to had severe flaws, which are now known
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