There are many alternative medicines that claim to help ease the symptoms of menopause. But few of them have been proved in studies. Some complementary and alternative treatments that have been or are being studied include:

• Plant estrogens, also called phytoestrogens. There are natural estrogens in certain foods. There are two main types of phytoestrogens, called isoflavones and lignans. Soybeans, lentils, chickpeas and other legumes have isoflavones. Flaxseed, whole grains and some fruits and vegetables have lignans.

  It hasn't been proved that the estrogens in these foods can ease hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Isoflavones have some weak estrogen-like effects. So if you've had breast cancer, talk with your healthcare provider before taking isoflavone pills.

• Bioidentical hormones. These hormones come from plant sources. The term "bioidentical" implies the hormones in the product are chemically the same as those the body makes.

  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some bioidentical hormones. But many are mixed in a pharmacy from a healthcare professional's prescription, called compounded. But the FDA doesn't regulate them, so quality and risks could vary.

  Bioidentical hormones have not been shown to work better or be safer than other hormone therapy.

• Cognitive behavior therapy. This type of therapy can help you change thoughts, feelings and behaviors that aren't healthy. It's been shown to reduce how much menopause symptoms bother you.
• Black cohosh. Black cohosh has been popular among many people with menopause symptoms. But there's little proof that black cohosh works. And it can harm the liver and not be safe for people with a history of breast cancer.
• Yoga. Yoga might ease menopause symptoms at least as well as other forms of exercise. And balance exercises such as yoga or tai chi can improve strength and help you move better. That may help prevent falls that could lead to broken bones.
• Acupuncture. Acupuncture may help to reduce hot flashes in the short term. But research hasn't shown that it helps a lot. More research is needed.
• Hypnosis. This mind-body therapy involves a deeply relaxed state and mental images. Hypnotherapy may lower the number of hot flashes and how bad they are for some menopausal people.

You may have heard of or tried other dietary supplements, such as red clover, kava, dong quai, DHEA, evening primrose oil and wild yam, a natural progesterone cream. There's no scientific proof that they work. Some of these products may be harmful.

Talk with your healthcare professional before taking any herbal or dietary supplements for menopause symptoms. The FDA does not oversee herbal products. Some can be harmful or affect other medicines you take, putting your health at risk.