The Best Supplements For Menopause 2023, According To The Experts

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In simple terms, menopause refers to the period when the ovaries stop releasing fertile eggs. It signifies the end of the menstrual cycle and is accompanied by a number of physiological changes.

Women who have entered menopause might experience hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, weight gain, and chills. Other changes include insomnia, mood swings, and dry skin from hormonal imbalances.

In order for menopause to be confirmed, a woman must not have a menstrual cycle for one year. In the majority of cases, women around the age of 50 will enter menopause, but it can also occur earlier in some cases.

Each woman will experience menopause in a different way; however irregular periods are common characteristics of perimenopause. During the perimenopausal phase, it is still possible for women to get pregnant.

Upon entering menopause, the doctor may recommend hormonal supplements to correct the associated imbalance and reduce the severity, as well as frequency, of the symptoms experienced. Health screening tests might be recommended, to diagnose coexisting conditions such as osteoporosis.

Menopause Statistics

According to recent statistics, 1.3 million women enter menopause each year in the United States. The change takes place around the age of 50.

However, in 5% of the cases, early menopause occurs between the ages of 40 and 45. Premature menopause is the term used for menopausal women under the age of 40, which accounts for 1% of the population (ovarian failure being the main cause).

Worldwide, there are 37.5 million women who have entered or are about to enter menopause. Transitioning into menopause takes approximately four years. As the average life expectancy increases, up to 84 years in the United States, many women will spend half their lives in post-menopause.

Best Menopause Supplements – Our Top Picks

• Best Supplements For Hot Flashes – Amberen Menopause Relief
• Best Supplement For Hot Flashes And Night Sweats – Estroven Menopause Relief
• Best Supplements And Vitamins For Menopause Fatigue – Nuvialab Menopause Support Formula
• Best Hormone Balance Supplements – Giddy + Health Menopause Support

What Are The Common Ingredients in Menopause Supplements?

Menopause supplements can be taken by women who have entered menopause or are about to go through this change. These contain ingredients with beneficial properties, improving the symptoms caused by hormonal imbalance and allowing one to feel better overall.

Below, you will find some of the most common ingredients used in supplements for menopause.

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh is a perennial herb, which has been used for a long time to ease the symptoms of menopause and correct the associated hormonal imbalance.

More studies are needed to fully understand its efficacy^[1], but preliminary research has shown that it could help^[2] with night sweats and hot flashes in particular, as well as with insomnia, vaginal dryness, and mood swings.

It might also stimulate the sex drive, reduce the risk of heart palpitations, and eliminate the pain associated with intercourse.

Flaxseed

Flaxseed is rich in nutrients and, as research points out, it might help with the symptoms of menopause. Women who consume ground flaxseed on a daily basis present less severe and less frequent hot flashes. In return, this contributed to an improved quality of life.

The natural remedy can reduce the severity and frequency of joint pain as well.

Calcium

When menopause occurs, estrogen production decreases and the body is no longer able to absorb the right amount of calcium from the daily diet. Thus, calcium supplementation becomes a must for menopausal and post-menopausal women, to help decrease the risk of developing osteoporosis.

Regular intake of calcium has been associated with less bone loss and a reduced risk of fractures. It might also help with associated medical issues, such as cancer, obesity, and hypertension.

However, in order to be absorbed properly, one also needs vitamin D (as a supplement, from food, or through exposure to the sun).

Red Clover

Red clover is a flowering plant and a legume, which is rich in isoflavones. These are actually phytoestrogens, which have a similar structure to the estrogen hormone.

Given this similarity, it should come as no surprise that red clover is a beneficial ingredient commonly added to menopause supplements.

More studies^[3] are needed, but there is some evidence that red clover could help women deal with the manifestations of menopause.

Vitamin D

As mentioned above, vitamin D facilitates the absorption^[4] of calcium within the body and, thus, contributes to a reduced risk of osteoporosis.

If you want to keep your bones strong and reduce the risk of fractures, you should consider a supplement that contains both vitamin D and calcium.

Dong Quai

Dong Quai is often presented as the female ginseng, being one of the most recommended^[5] natural remedies for menopausal women. It has been suggested that the remedy can help with one of the common manifestations of menopause, hot flashes, but studies are conflicting. Dong Quai may not work any better than a placebo and may not be appropriate for long-term use.

Ginseng

Ginseng is indeed a natural remedy that can be used to manage the symptoms of menopause. Research^[6] supports that ginseng can stimulate sexual desire, improving libido in women who are going through menopause.

It might also help with hot flashes, but more research is necessary to confirm this benefit entirely. Consult with your doctor because ginseng may not be appropriate for long-term use.

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s wort is a popular natural remedy and can do wonders for the manifestations of menopause, both physical and psychological. The herb is recommended for both pre-and post-menopausal women, being especially beneficial where sexual desire is concerned.

According to the latest research, St. John’s wort can reduce the risk of hot flashes^[7] in menopausal women. These beneficial properties have been connected to the rich content of phytoestrogens (similar to the naturally occuring estrogen hormone).

St. John’s Wort interacts with a number of medications, so be sure to consult with your doctor before starting this supplement.

DHEA

DHEA is a substance which is normally produced by the adrenal glands. More evidence is needed to understand whether it could help with the symptoms of menopause^[8], but DHEA may improve sexual desire.

The Picks From The Best Menopause Supplements On the Market

We have performed thorough research and reviewed some of the best supplements for menopause you will find on the market. These are popular choices for menopausal women, along with a list of their beneficial properties, according to the producers.

Note: The Pros mentioned below are according to the product manufacturer.

Amberen

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Estroven Complete Multi-Symptom Menopause Relief

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NuviaLab Meno Menopause Support Formula

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Giddy + Health Menopause Support

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Nutrafol Women’s Balance

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Provitalize

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Estroven Menopause Relief + Weight

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MenoSense

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NOW Menopause Support

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Estrovera

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MenoFit Complete Probiotic

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Remifemin Menopause Relief

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Relizen

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What Are The Symptoms Of Menopause?

As you might have gathered from what was written above, there are a number of symptoms^[9] which are specific for menopause. It is important to be aware of their existence as they can be useful in identifying the transition from one stage of life to the other.

Women who are going through menopause often experience hot flashes, night sweats, and chills. They complain of vaginal dryness, loss of libido, and pain during sexual intercourse.

Mood swings are frequent, and anxiety and depression can be quite common. One might also feel more irritable or nervous than normal.

Vaginal atrophy is another change associated with menopause. It is possible to suffer from a reduced energy level, joint and muscle pain, and breast pain.

Heart palpitations are common, as well as dizziness and headaches. The skin can become dry and itchy, and weight gain can take place. Additionally, one might begin to experience urinary incontinence and insomnia.

Menopausal and post-menopausal women might present poor memory and concentration difficulties.

On the long term, it is important to pay attention to general health as menopause increases the risk of co-morbid conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, and osteoporosis. Early diagnosis through target screening tests offer the best prognosis.

How Does Menopause Occur? (The Causes)

Menopause^[10] typically occurs when women reach around 50 years of age which signifies that the menstrual cycle has ended and the woman can no longer get pregnant. This is a natural occurrence and may take several years before the transition is complete.

Certain treatments and therapies can lead to menopause as well. For example, women who receive radiotherapy might reach menopause faster than normal. The same goes for those who have suffered complications as a result of surgical interventions (hysterectomy, for instance).

Stages of menopause

Menopause does not occur suddenly. As the fertility cycle comes to an end, the woman goes through several phases^[11], each with its own changes. The transition can last, as mentioned, for several years. During the first phases, the woman might still get pregnant, as fertile eggs are still released from the ovaries.

These are the different stages of menopause:

• Pre-menopause

  • Timeframe up to the last period (no irregular cycles present yet)
  • Reproductive hormone levels begin to decrease
  • First symptoms might be experienced

• Perimenopause

  • Transition years – before the actual menopause period
  • Can last for several years, with estrogen fluctuations
  • Symptoms experienced (hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness, mood swings)
  • Fertility is reduced but still present

• Post-menopause

  • No menstruation for at least 12 months
  • High FSH levels & specific symptoms present
  • Ovaries become inactive – infertility as a consequence
  • Reproductive hormone levels low.

What Are The Treatment Options For Menopause?

The symptoms of menopause can greatly improve under the right treatment^[12]. Moreover, one might also require additional treatment for co-existent conditions and to improve the overall quality of life.

These are some of the most often recommended treatment options for menopause:

• Hormone replacement therapy
  • Administration of estrogen and progesterone
  • Can provide relief from common symptoms, such as night sweats and hot flashes
  • Recommended only for short-term use (risk of complications, such as blood clots)
  • Prevention of osteoporosis & bone fractures (bone density loss)
• Medication
  • Selective estrogen receptor modulators
  • Antidepressants
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Coping strategies for dealing with the emotional symptoms of menopause
• Other – physical exercise, alternative medicine
• Natural remedies (supplements)–
  • Contain ingredients with clinically-supported properties (menopause relief)

What Are The Best Supplements For Hot Flashes And Night Sweats?

Several herbal supplements, perimenopause supplements and vitamins for menopause could be beneficial for the treatment of hot flashes and night sweats. However, some of the most common ingredients to look for in the menopause supplements are soy isoflavones, red clover, black cohosh, wild yam, maca root and chasteberry.

Is It Safe To Use Supplements For Menopause?

Check with your physician first, but some menopause supplements may be appropriate for improving the symptoms of menopause.

Black cohosh is another natural remedy that might help with the symptoms of menopause. Many supplements also contain beneficial minerals and vitamins, helping not only with menopause but also with additional health risks (heart disease, osteoporosis).

If you have any concerns about taking a particular supplement, you should visit your doctor and discuss such natural remedies. Only a trained specialist can determine, based on your medical history, whether a certain supplement is suitable for you or not.

Keep in mind that menopause is a transitional period, in which you might experience a multitude of changes. Some supplements and vitamins for menopause might be more beneficial in the beginning, while others will help you complete the transition. You might want to give several supplements a try, in order to convince yourself which one works the best.

Best Menopause Supplements – The Bottom Line

Even though menopause is not a process that can be stopped, you should not despair. First and foremost, it is important to accept that this is a natural transition, one that every woman goes through.

Especially if you have suffered from premature or surgical menopause, you might consider counseling to develop the necessary coping skills for the situation.

In this article, we have presented natural menopause supplements, which contain ingredients that have been used since the oldest of times: red clover, black cohosh, or St. John’s wort.

More studies are needed, but the thing to remember is that these supplements could provide relief from the discomforting symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, nervousness, or night sweats, helping you feel better and improving your overall quality of life.