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.
