As many as 66 percent of all women experience menopausal symptoms, with hot flashes being the most common symptom, Stacie Geller, director of the National Center of Excellence in Women's Health, reported in the September 2005 "Journal of Women's Health." Around 70 percent of women take dietary supplements, which include all botanicals, for menopausal symptoms, Geller reports. But 70 percent don't tell their doctor what they're taking, and 10 percent don't understand the supposed benefits of what they take, Geller adds. Some dietary supplements sold as menopause aids don't reduce symptoms, while others have mixed results in studies.
Soy
Soy contains phytoestrogens, estrogen-like substances that can have effects similar to estrogen. In 2010, the University of San Marcos published an article in "Menopause" that reviewed 19 studies on the use of soy for treating hot flashes. Lead author R. Bolagnos reported that the studies overall showed a benefit for using soy. Geller, however, reported that a study of 50 women conducted by Monash University and reported in the March 2004 "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found no benefit to soy supplements.
Soy may have a positive effect on cholesterol levels after menopause and on bone mineral density, which normally drops after menopause, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Long-term soy use may cause the uterine lining to thicken, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which is a risk for uterine cancer.
Back Cohosh
Black cohosh has been studied more than any other botanical for use in menopause, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states. A study conducted by the NCCAM found that black cohosh did not reduce hot flashes or night sweats in menopause. Other studies have shown mixed results. Three women have developed liver failure while taking black cohosh; women with liver disease should not take this supplement.
Dong Quai
Dong quai, a Chinese herb used as a "female tonic," has been tried as a menopause supplement. A study the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center reported in the December 1997 "Fertility and Sterility" found no benefit over placebo in reducing menopausal symptoms. Dong quai can cause bleeding problems in women taking blood thinners such as warfarin.
Red Clover
Like soy, red clover contains phytoestrogens. Five studies found no consistent benefit to using red clover to relieve menopausal symptoms, NCCAM reports. Red clover may increase the risk of hormone-related tumors, such as breast and uterine cancer.
References
- PubMed Central: Botanical and Dietary Supplements for Menopausal Symptoms: What Works, What Doesn't; Stacie E. Geller, Ph.D; September 2005
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine:Menopausal Symptoms and CAM
- HealthCastle: Fighting Menopause Symptoms with Supplements
- PubMed:Does Dong Quai Have Estrogenic Effects in Postmenopausal Women? A double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial; J. Kirata et al; 1997
- PubMed: Soy Isoflavones Versus Placebo in the Treatment of Climacteric Vasomotor Symptoms; R. Bolanos; May-June 2010
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