Menopause, or the cessation of menses, is a normal female life change and not a disease, although menopausal symptoms can be debilitating and increase the risks of diseases in some women. A popular herbal remedy used to relieve the symptoms of menopause is evening primrose oil, although it is not without controversy. Many menopausal women attest to the effectiveness of it, but scientific studies are either inconclusive or find it ineffective. Consulting with a health professional before embarking on any supplement regimen is always recommended.
Menopause and Symptoms
Menopause is the time in a woman's life leading up to, and after, her last menses, or monthly period. It occurs because the ovaries make less estrogen, which is the primary female sexual hormone. The average age of menopause is around the age of 50, but it can occur from the ages of 35 to 60 depending on many factors relating to health. Some women transition through menopause with no symptoms, but others suffer greatly. Common short-term symptoms include hot flushes and night sweats, disrupted sleep cycle, headaches, fatigue, dramatic mood changes, depression, anxiety, aches and pains, and reduced libido. Long-term effects of menopause, due mainly to reduced estrogen production, include hair loss, dry skin, less vaginal secretion, bone mineral loss and increased risk of osteoporosis.
Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose, or Oenothera biennis, is a flowering plant native to North America that blooms at night. Oil can be derived from its seeds, which are rich in linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid, essential fatty acids not synthesized in the body, as cited in "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition." These fatty acids contribute to the production of compounds similar to hormones that help maintain moist membranes, prevent swelling and inflammation, reduce pain, prevent blood vessels from overdilating, enhance immunity, and prevent blood clots, among other functions. As such, these essential fatty acids may be able to compensate for reduced estrogen levels during menopause.
Scientific Studies
Primrose oil has been studied in relation to menopausal symptoms, but the results are not positive. An older study published in a 1994 edition of the "British Medical Journal" concluded that evening primrose oil has no significant effect greater than placebo on reducing hot flashes and sweating episodes in menopausal women. A Columbia University meta-analysis of studies published in a 2002 edition of "Annals of Internal Medicine" found evening primrose oil did not significantly relieve hot flashes and sweats in women experiencing menopause.
Anecdotal Claims
Despite lack of supporting scientific evidence, many women claim positive results from taking evening primrose oil, although dosages are often different from what researchers recommend. For example, a typical regimen of evening primrose oil for menopausal symptoms is one 500 mg capsule each day for two weeks and then four 500 mg capsules each day for the one week prior to menses, and then no capsules during the week that menses occurs or should occur, as cited in "Medical Herbalism." With this schedule, some women claim it takes up to six weeks to notice some reduction in menopausal symptoms and up to eight months to see dramatic results. The symptoms most affected by its use are said to be mood changes, irritability, headaches, fluid retention and breast tenderness. When used in conjunction with black cohosh, it seems to help with hot flashes and night sweats.
References
- "Textbook of Medical Physiology -- Tenth Edition"; Arthur C. Guyton, et al.; 2000
- "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition"; George Gropper; 2000
- "British Medical Journal"; Effect of Oral Gamolenic Acid From Evening Primrose Oil on Menopausal Flushing; R. Chenoy, et al.; February 1994
- "Annals of Internal Medicine"; Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Menopausal Symptoms: A Review of Randomized, Controlled Trials; F. Kronenberg, et al.; November 2002
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
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