AYURVEDIC AND SIDDHA INTERVENTIONS FOR MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS

Menopause is a natural physiological transition in women's lives, often accompanied by distressing physical and psychological symptoms. Ayurvedic medicine and Siddha medicine, which are traditional Indian system of medicine, offer a holistic approach to managing menopausal symptoms. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ayurvedic and Siddha interventions for managing menopausal symptoms in women. A comprehensive search of electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, DHARA, CCRAS) was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating Ayurvedic/Siddha interventions for menopausal symptom management. Risk of bias assessment was performed as well. Thirteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The included studies investigated various Ayurvedic and Siddha herbs and formulations. The results demonstrated significant improvements in both somatic symptoms (e.g. hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances) and psychological symptoms (e.g. anxiety, depression, mood swings) compared to placebo or conventional treatments. Additionally, positive effects on hormonal balance and quality of life were reported. Most studies indicated a favorable safety profile for Ayurvedic and Siddha interventions, with minimal or mild adverse effects. This systematic review provides evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of Ayurvedic and Siddha interventions for managing menopausal symptoms. Further research is needed to optimize treatment protocols and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action.