Vitamins Can't Increase Estrogen, but These 5 Supplements May Help With Menopause Symptoms

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Some supplements may be able to help ease certain menopause symptoms.
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Estrogen levels dip as a person approaches menopause. And that can trigger some uncomfortable symptoms, such as mood changes, insomnia, lowered sex drive and hot flashes, says Felice Ramallo, MSCN, RD, a lead dietitian at Allara, which offers virtual care for people with PCOS.

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People may be interested in increasing their estrogen levels as a natural remedy for hot flashes and other symptoms, says Ohio-based ob-gyn Kim Langdon, MD, of Medzino, an online doctor and pharmacy company.

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And it's not just menopause that can lead to low estrogen levels, Ramallo says. Some procedures — such as chemotherapy and radiation — as well as having low body fat, pituitary gland conditions and premature ovarian failure (POF) can also lead to low estrogen, she says.

Can Vitamins Increase Estrogen?

There are no vitamins that can increase estrogen levels, Dr. Langdon says.

Ramello agrees: "There are no foods or vitamins that can be taken and directly turn into estrogen in the body." And, she notes, "it is unlikely that a food or vitamin will correct clinically low levels [of estrogen]."

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But that doesn't mean taking supplements isn't potentially helpful when it comes to easing menopause-related symptoms or alleviating other symptoms (such as bone loss) that may occur with lower levels of estrogen.

If your estrogen levels are low — or if you're experiencing uncomfortable symptoms — make sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor.

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While you may be able to easily get supplements without a prescription, talk to your doctor before adding them to your routine. That way, you can ensure there aren't any negative interactions with other medications you're taking.

Supplements That Might Help With Menopause Symptoms

A number of vitamins and supplements come up in conversation around estrogen levels, including those listed below. There are varying amounts of research into the effects of these supplements, and they may not be safe for everyone to take.

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Always talk to your doctor before starting these or any other supplements.

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  • Vitamin D:‌ Despite its name, vitamin D is a prohormone — that is, something your body converts into a hormone, according to the Hormone Health Network. "Vitamin D plays an important role in hormone function and has been shown to balance hormones and improve egg quality," Ramallo says.
  • B-complex vitamins:‌ These vitamins "run the body's metabolism," Ramallo says. "They also play a role in hormone production. Supplementing with one can also improve symptoms that include mood changes, poor focus or fatigue." A diet high in vitamin B6 may delay the onset of menopause, according to an August 2018 study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
  • Black cohosh:‌ This herb is a member of the buttercup family, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). It may help reduce menopause symptoms including hot flashes and vaginal dryness, per the NCCIH.
  • Boron:‌ Prune juice, raisins and apples are all foods high in boron, a mineral that influences hormones, according to an August 2016 article in Integrative Medicine.
  • Fenugreek:‌ This herb is used in spice blends and in supplements, per the NCCIH. A randomized, placebo-controlled study found that people with perimenopausal symptoms taking fenugreek extract reported improvements when it came to hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia, per October 2020 research in the Journal of Food Biochemistry.
  • Red clover:‌ The research on red clover's ability to quell menopause symptoms is inconsistent: Some studies show a benefit while others don't, per the NCCIH.

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Our Picks

How We Chose

We spoke with doctors and dietitians as well as reviewed relevant research to recommend the supplements below.

We also looked for products with Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations enforced by the FDA as well as compliance or verification from one of the three main independent quality control groups that test and review supplements:

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For more information on how we choose and cover products, click here.

Tip

Seek out supplements that are third-party certified and look for seals from NSF and USP. “This ensures you are buying a supplement that is free of toxic contaminants and contains the amount of nutrients that it claims,” Ramallo says.

1. Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+

Best Multivitamin

Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+

This vegan product comes with 9 traceable vitamins.

Pros

  • USP-verified
  • Contain vitamins for bone health

Cons

  • Contains a mint essence, which some people may not like

"Though they do not promote estrogen production, a good quality multivitamin with vitamin D, vitamin K and boron may help with preventing the bone losses associated with low estrogen," Ramallo says.

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After menopause, and the loss of estrogen, a person's chances of developing osteoporosis increase, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

Ramallo recommends this vitamin from Ritual. It contains 2,000 IU of vitamin D, 0.7 milligrams of boron and vitamins E, B12 and K2. This multi is USP-verified.

2. Swanson High-Potency Red Clover Extract

Best Red Clover

Swanson High-Potency Red Clover Extract

This supplement may especially help with night sweats.

Pros

  • Helps relieve night sweats
  • Contains 430 mg of red clover

Cons

  • Contains gelatin, so not the best for vegans

Red clover is an isoflavone, an estrogen-like substance made by certain plants, per the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Red clover may help reduce menopause symptoms, especially night sweats, per a ConsumerLab review that assessed various menopause-related supplements.

Opt for a supplement that includes a minimum of 40 milligrams of total isoflavones, according to ConsumerLab. This supplement from Swanson has 430 milligrams per capsule.

3. Bayer One a Day Women's Menopause Formula

Best with Soy Isoflavones

One a Day Women's Menopause Formula

This product can help with hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

Pros

  • Contains other essential nutrients like vitamin C, D, E and calcium
  • ConsumerLab approved

Cons

  • Can cause stomach upset in some people, according to reviews

Soy isoflavones may help reduce hot flashes and vaginal dryness, per a June 2016 meta-analysis in JAMA. This once-daily supplement contains 60 milligrams of soy isoflavones.

It's also a source of several other key vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C, D and E and calcium and zinc. This one's approved by ConsumerLab.

4. Nature's Bounty Black Cohosh

Best Black Cohosh

Nature's Bounty Black Cohosh

This vitamin is good for those with soy and gluten allergies.

Pros

  • Soy-, gluten-, yeast-, fish- and lactose-free
  • ConsumerLab approved
  • Widely available

Cons

  • Can leave a taste in your mouth, according to reviewers

The herb black cohosh may help cut down on some of the symptoms of menopause, Dr. Langdon says. Black cohosh has been used for generations in Indigenous and Chinese medicine, helping to relieve the symptoms of many gynecological conditions, such as PMS, cramps and menopause, per the Cleveland Clinic.

This particular supplement is approved by ConsumerLab and is free from soy, gluten, yeast, fish and lactose. It's also affordable and widely available at many drugstores.

5. New Chapter Vitamin B Complex

Best B Complex

New Chapter Vitamin B Complex

This NSF-certified choice is filled with potent B vitamins and herbs.

Pros

  • NSF-certified
  • Fermented to offer probiotics
  • Non-GMO

Cons

  • Some reviewers say the pill is too large and can be hard to swallow

B vitamins are essential for your body. Ramallo recommends New Chapter Vitamin B Complex. It contains vitamins B12 and B6, biotin, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, folate and pantothenic acid.

"This one also contains fenugreek and maca, two herbal supplements that have some evidence for improving estrogen levels," Ramallo says. This pick is NSF-certified.

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