Hormone-free menopause supplements contain one or more of the these basic ingredients that claim to reduce hot flashes, control night sweats, decrease the risk of osteoporosis, stimulate natural estrogen and/or progesterone production, diminish mood swings, help insomnia and increase libido:
1. Black Cohosh
The main ingredient in menopause supplements is Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa), found in North America, once used by native peoples to treat depression and later by European settlers to stimulate female lactation. In modern menopause supplements, black cohosh is added to help with hot flashes due to its alleged estrogenic properties. Scientific data suggests that prohormone supplements technically should provide the body with building blocks to produce hormones, however that is not the case with black cohosh. Instead of containing bioactive estrogen-like chemicals, it appears to have alpha-Methylserotonin which could (theoretically) stimulate the brain’s serotonin receptors.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for triggering a feeling of well-being, often called the happiness drug, and therefore has the potential to make a woman “feel” better despite no increase in female hormones. However ?-Methylserotonin can’t easily cross from the blood to the central nervous system / brain. Although it’s related to ?-Methyltryptophan (capable of correcting serotonin deficiencies), alpha-Methylserotonin has weak mental affects because it simply can’t get to the brain. That’s why Black Cohosh may fail to provide menopausal symptom relief. Nevertheless, it’s considered safe to try. (Just not recommended for those with liver disorders.)
- Menopause Supplement by Mendapause (Contains: Soy, black cohosh, dong quai, licorice, vitex, red clover, sage,, false unicorn, squaw vine, blessed thistle, red raspberry, and wild yam.)
- Remifemin Enzymatic Therapy (contains black cohosh)
2. Calcium, Soy, Vitamin D and Flaxseed
Menopause supplements usually contain vitamins, minerals and calcium to reduce bone deterioration and decrease the risk of osteoporosis. Calcium supplementation has become controversial after studies suggested a relation between calcium and myocardial infractions. While some women are prone to cardiovascular problems / arterial plaque build-up, others aren’t. Testing is recommended prior to taking a menopause supplement containing calcium. For calcium to be absorbed, even from soy sources, vitamin D is essential. A good vitamin D menopause supplement is especially important for women who may not get 15 minutes of daily sunshine.
Soy extracts have been proven to be effective as a means to safely strengthen bones as well as reduce hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Although still being investigated, there’s mounting evidence that eating soy products (and taking soy supplements) can be help women deal with menopausal issues without HRT.
Flaxseed is in some formulas and can provide a bit of relief for women who have mild cases of night sweats and hot flashes.
- Menopause Treatment by Fem-Flax (a flaxseed and herbal blend)
- Healthy Woman Menopause Supplement with Soy by Johnson & Johnson (contains OptiSoy)
- Menopause Multivitamin Formula by One-A-Day
3. Wild Yam Prohormone Supplements / Bioidentical Hormone Products
For information on natural bioidentical hormone products, go to: Acne Home Treatment versus Pharmaceuticals Part IV, which explores home hormone testing kits and wild yam prohormone creams that claim to naturally replace pharmaceutical HRT.
Plant derived prohormone supplements and bioidentical hormone creams made from wild yam, do indeed contain estrogen/progesterone-like compounds, but unfortunately clinical studies suggest that the human body can’t absorb them, or at least not easily and therefore may take a very long time to help.
- Mexican Wild Yam capsules by Vitamin Shoppe
- Wild Yam Cream by Good n Natural
4. St. John’s Wort, Ginseng and Don Quai
St. John’s Wort is an ingredient in herbal menopause formulas. Although clinical tests are inconclusive, there’s some evidence to suggest it may help reduce depression, balance mood swings and mildly decrease the intensity of dreaded hot flashes.
Ginseng is present in menopausal preparations, and claims similar abilities to those of St. John’s Wort, however it’s less effective. While Ginseng may have stimulating qualities to increase alertness, it doesn’t appear to be effective as a menopause symptom reliever unless blended with other ingredients.
Dong Quai is in herbal formulas, but evidence doesn’t support its presence in prohormone supplements. It may mildly reduce hot flashes but there are more effective treatments. Choose something like “Hot Flash Tablets” by Source Naturals, which contains don quai and phytoestrogen ingredients, too.
To learn more about don quai, go to: Acne Care Treatment Part VI, which explores Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) preparations containing dong quai and looks at clinical tests conducted to determine if it has estrogen blocking or estrogen producing effects, or neither.
- St. John’s Wort by Nature’s Way
- Ginseng for Women Imperial Elixir by Imperial
- Hot Flash Tablets by Source Naturals (contians: phytoestrogens, black cohosh, dong quai, and vitex).
5. DHEA – dehydroepiandrosterone
DHEA is a prohromone supplement widely used to stimulate hormone production because it acts as precursor for both testosterone and estrogen. It’s marketed to women as a means to balance estrogen, increase libido and reduce general signs of aging. While there’s little evidence to support these claims, it’s found in many menopause products. Caution should be exercised when choosing prohormone supplements containing DHEA. Consult a physician beforehand. To learn more, please refer to: 12 Brain Supplements and Memory Enhancing Treatments.
- DHEA by Natrol (25 mg of hormonal precursor per tablet)
