Menopausal symptoms

Overview

SupplementDEX lists 4 supplements studied for menopausal symptoms across 5 trials. The strongest indexed signals include American Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Milk Thistle. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for full ratings across all supplements.

Effect graph

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Relevant supplements

Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.


Milk Thistle	★★★★★	Low
Ashwagandha	★★★★★	Low
American Ginseng	★★★★★	Low
Gamma-Oryzanol	★★★★★	Low

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Studies

Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.

4 supplements for rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.

American GinsengView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

It is not known if American ginseng helps with menopausal symptoms alone.
One study in women around menopause found that taking a supplement with American ginseng and several other herbs twice daily for 12 weeks improved sleep and reduced hot flashes and night sweats better than placebo.
It's unclear which ingredient caused these benefits.

Browse 1 study

RCTPhyto-Female Complex for the relief of hot flushes, night sweats and quality of sleep: randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study2007

In 50 pre- and postmenopausal women, Phyto-Female Complex including American ginseng for 3 months reduced hot flushes 73% and night sweats 69%, with 47% achieving complete hot flush cessation versus 19% on placebo.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 3 months
Population: Postmenopausal women
Ages: 44–65

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AshwagandhaView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Ashwagandha may help with menopausal symptoms.
One small study showed that taking a specific ashwagandha extract twice daily for 8 weeks reduced menopausal symptoms, improved quality of life, and decreased hot flashes more than placebo.

Browse 1 study

RCTEffect of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract on climacteric symptoms in women during perimenopause: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study2021n=100

In 100 perimenopausal women, ashwagandha root extract 600 mg/day improved climacteric symptoms and quality of life versus placebo without changing serum testosterone.

Effect: Benefit
Dose: 600 mg/day
Population: Women
Participants: 100

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Milk ThistleView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

It is not certain if milk thistle helps with menopausal symptoms like hot flashes.
One small study found that taking milk thistle extract twice a day for 8 weeks reduced how often and how badly women had hot flashes compared to placebo.
Some other research suggests milk thistle combined with other herbs might help, but more studies are needed.

Browse 2 studies

RCTEvaluation of the effect of Silybum marianum extract on menopausal symptoms: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial2020n=80

A 12-week double-blind RCT of 80 menopausal women found 400 mg/day Silybum marianum extract significantly reduced hot flash frequency and severity versus placebo.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12 weeks
Dose: 400 mg/day
Population: Women
Participants: 80

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RCTPhyto-Female Complex for the relief of hot flushes, night sweats and quality of sleep: randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study2007

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 3 months
Population: Postmenopausal women
Ages: 44–65

View on PubMed

Gamma-OryzanolView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustLow

Evidence Review

A recent study suggests gamma-oryzanol may help reduce menopause symptoms when it is taken together with hormone therapy, but there is not enough evidence to know if gamma-oryzanol works well on its own.

Browse 1 study

Clinical efficacy of gamma-oryzanol combined with Femoston for perimenopausal syndrome2024n=119

In 119 perimenopausal women, adding gamma-oryzanol to Femoston hormone therapy improved symptom relief and hormone profiles versus Femoston alone over the study period.

Effect: Benefit
Dose: 2 mg
Population: Women
Participants: 119

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Evidence visualised

Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.

Purchase-guidance distribution

How many supplements fall in each purchase band

Effect-size distribution

How large the reported benefits tend to be

Study distribution across 4 supplements for menopausal symptoms (5 studies total).
Supplement	DEX	Studies	Share
Milk Thistle	★★★★★44%	2	40%
American Ginseng	★★★★★44%	1	20%
Ashwagandha	★★★★★44%	1	20%
Gamma-Oryzanol	★★★★★40%	1	20%

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Overview

Effect graph

Relevant supplements

Studies

Evidence visualised

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