Natural Medicines for Women’s Menopausal Symptoms: Molecular Mechanisms and Effects

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, entitled “Natural Medicines for Women’s Menopausal Symptoms: Molecular Mechanisms and Effects”, welcomes submissions of manuscripts that either describe original research or review scientific literature.

Menopause is a normal condition experienced by all women near the age of 50. Menopause may cause a range of symptoms, and the onset of menopausal symptoms is affected by changes in estrogen levels. The most common symptoms are hot flashes and night sweats, and common complications include mood changes, osteoporosis, and weight gain. Hormone replacement therapy is a potent treatment for menopausal symptoms and complications. A woman’s health initiative trial, which involved a large number of subjects in the United States, reported that estrogen therapy is helpful in preventing fractures and osteoporosis; however, it has serious side effects, such as increased risks for thromboembolism, stroke, and breast and ovarian cancers (Rossouw JE et al., JAMA 2002; 288(3): 321-33). After that study was published, alternative treatments with phytoestrogens began to receive attention, as they originate from plants and can mimic human estrogen. However, many studies have reported controversial results regarding the effects of phytoestrogens, both in terms of “risks” and “benefits”. Emerging data regarding natural medicines in controlling menopausal symptoms have been published. This Special Issue will focus on the molecular mechanisms (mode of action) and in vitro and in vivo effects of natural medicines for menopausal symptoms and complications beyond estrogenic activity.

Potential topics may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Weight gain and slowed metabolism
• Osteoporosis
• Mood changes
• Sleep problems
• Cognitive difficulties

Dr. Seon-Yong Jeong
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.