Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Issues Related to Women's Health

Women’s health conditions are way different from men’s; they undergo various health issues like infertility, premenstrual syndrome, menopause, dysmenorrhea, and cyclic mastalgial effects. To avoid the high-risk side effects burden of conventional medicine practice, women may use complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) for chronic gynecological conditions. Complementary and alternative therapies are an integral part of modern healthcare, offering patients a range of options to address their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. As CATs continue to evolve, it is essential to prioritize rigorous research, collaboration, and evidence-based practice to effectively guide their integration into mainstream healthcare. They are classified into five major categories: mind-body interventions, biologically-based therapies, manipulative and body-based methods, energy therapies, and whole medical systems. These therapies are commonly used for managing chronic conditions, pain relief, stress reduction, and improving overall well-being. This chapter provides a succinct overview of CATs, highlighting their increasing popularity, diverse nature, the need for rigorous evaluation, and the role of CATs on women’s health conditions. In addition, this chapter describes the importance of herbal medicines in women’s lifecycles. Also, this chapter outlines the key aspects of CATs, including their classification, usage patterns, evidence-based assessment, and integration into mainstream healthcare.

Keywords: Alternative therapies, Acupuncture, Chronic gynecological conditions, Complementary therapies, Herbal medicine, Women’s health, Yoga.