Postmenopause

Overview

Kudzu (WA 52; low effect size, high evidence, medium trust) has low-strength mixed evidence for postmenopausal health. Some small studies found possible cognitive benefits without cholesterol or hormone changes; oral kudzu may reduce vaginal dryness, and vaginal kudzu gel may ease dryness similarly to estrogen cream in limited trials. N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) (WA 44; low effect size, low evidence, medium trust) did not reduce bone loss over three months in one study.

Nattokinase (WA 48; low effect size, medium evidence, medium trust) has insufficient evidence. The heatmap and evidence reviews below summarize available trials.

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Relevant supplements

Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.


Kudzu	★★★★★	Low
Nattokinase	★★★★★	Low
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)	★★★★★	Low

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Studies

Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.

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KudzuView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceHighTrustMedium

Evidence Review

It is not clear if kudzu helps with postmenopausal health issues.
Some small studies found that taking kudzu pills daily for a few months may help with thinking and attention but does not improve cholesterol or hormone levels.
Kudzu taken by mouth may reduce vaginal dryness and improve vaginal pH, but this was not better than placebo.
Applying kudzu gel inside the vagina helped ease dryness and irritation about as well as estrogen cream, but it was less effective overall.
Kudzu gel may also improve blood flow and vaginal tissue.
Some studies found no benefit, possibly because they were too small to tell.
More research is needed.

Browse 6 studies

RCTEffects of Pueraria mirifica on vaginal artery vascularization in postmenopausal women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause2022

In postmenopausal women, 6% Pueraria mirifica vaginal gel for 12 weeks increased vaginal blood flow and improved vaginal health index versus placebo gel.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12 weeks
Population: Postmenopausal women

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RCTComparison of the effects of Pueraria mirifica gel and of placebo gel on the vaginal microenvironment of postmenopausal women with Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)2020

In postmenopausal women, 5% Pueraria mirifica vaginal gel for 12 weeks improved vaginal pH, health index, and genitourinary symptoms versus placebo.

Effect: No Benefit
Duration: 12 weeks
Population: Postmenopausal women

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RCTComparison of Pueraria mirifica gel and conjugated equine estrogen cream effects on vaginal health in postmenopausal women2017

In postmenopausal women, Pueraria mirifica vaginal gel for 12 weeks improved vaginal maturation and symptom scores similarly to conjugated estrogen cream.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12 weeks
Dose: 0.5 g/day
Population: Postmenopausal women

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RCTEffects and safety of Pueraria mirifica on lipid profiles and biochemical markers of bone turnover rates in healthy postmenopausal women2008n=71

In 71 healthy postmenopausal women, Pueraria mirifica 50 mg/day for 24 weeks improved lipid profiles without adverse endometrial, breast, or liver effects versus baseline.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 24 weeks
Dose: 50 mg/day
Population: Postmenopausal women
Participants: 71
Ages: 45–60

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RCTEffect of Pueraria mirifica on vaginal health2007n=71

In 71 postmenopausal women, Pueraria mirifica for 24 weeks improved vaginal dryness, pH, and cytology versus baseline with good tolerability.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 24 weeks
Dose: 20, 30, or 50 mg/day Pueraria mirifica
Population: Postmenopausal women
Participants: 71
Ages: 45–60

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RCTComparison of Pueraria lobata with hormone replacement therapy in treating the adverse health consequences of menopause2003n=43

In 43 postmenopausal women, Pueraria lobata 100 mg/day for 3 months improved vaginal health index and symptom scores versus baseline comparably to hormone reference approaches.

Effect: No Benefit
Duration: 3 months
Dose: 100 mg/day
Population: Postmenopausal women
Participants: 43
Ages: 50–65

View on PubMed

NattokinaseView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceMediumTrustMedium

Evidence Review

There is not enough evidence to determine if nattokinase has any benefit for postmenopause.

Browse 1 study1 meta-analysis

MetaEffects of Soy Protein Containing of Isoflavones and Isoflavones Extract on Plasma Lipid Profile in Postmenopausal Women as a Potential Prevention Factor in Cardiovascular Diseases: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials2021

A meta-analysis of postmenopausal women found soy protein with isoflavones reduced total cholesterol by 0.12 mmol/L and raised HDL by 0.03 mmol/L vs placebo or milk protein.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Postmenopausal women

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N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)View supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

It is uncertain if N-acetylcysteine (NAC) helps prevent bone loss after menopause.
One small study found that taking NAC 2 grams daily for 3 months did not reduce bone loss compared to a placebo.

Browse 1 study

RCTPotential role of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine in slowing bone resorption in early post-menopausal women: a pilot study2007

A pilot RCT in early postmenopausal women found NAC supplementation modestly reduced biochemical markers of bone resorption versus placebo.