Research table: Supplements for relief of menopausal symptoms

This summary table contains detailed information about research studies. Summary tables are a useful way to look at the science behind many breast cancer guidelines and recommendations. However, to get the most out of the tables, it’s important to understand some key concepts. Learn how to read a research table.

Introduction: Dietary and herbal supplements have been suggested as ways to relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.

However, findings from most randomized controlled trials and a meta-analysis haven’t shown a benefit.

Learn more about flaxseed, omega-3 fatty acids and other dietary supplements in our Complementary and Integrative Therapies section.

Learn more about ways to treat menopausal symptoms.

Learn about the strengths and weaknesses of different types of studies.

Study selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials with at least 60 participants and meta-analyses.

Table note: Relative risk above 1 indicates increased risk. Relative risk below 1 indicates decreased risk.    

Study	Study Population (number of participants)	Type of Supplement	Treatment Duration	Supplements Reduced Hot Flashes Better Than Placebo?
Randomized controlled trials
Reed et al. [1]	355 women never diagnosed with cancer	Omega-3 fatty acid capsule	12 weeks	No
Tice et al. [2]	246 women never diagnosed with cancer	Red clover extract	12 weeks	No
Pruthi et al. [3]	146 women who’ve had breast cancer and women never diagnosed with cancer	Flaxseed bar	6 weeks	No
Lucas et al. [4]	120 women never diagnosed with cancer	Omega-3 fatty acid capsule	8 weeks	Yes
Lipovac et al. [5]	109 women never diagnosed with cancer	Red clover capsule	13 weeks	Yes
Colli et al. [6]	75 women never diagnosed with cancer	Flaxseed capsule or ground flaxseeds	6 months	No
Lewis et al. [7]	66 women never diagnosed with cancer	Flaxseed muffin	16 weeks	No
Lambert et al. [8]	62 women never diagnosed with cancer	Red clover extract	12 weeks	No
Meta-analyses
Kanadys et al. [9]	5 studies	Red clover extract	Various	Yes
Franco et al. [10]	7 studies	Red clover extract	Various	No
Mohammady et al. [11]	3 studies	Omega-3 fatty acid capsule, oil, powder or other supplement form	Various	No

 

References  

1. Reed SD, Guthrie KA, Newton KM, et al. Menopausal quality of life: RCT of yoga, exercise, and omega-3 supplements. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 210(3):244, 2014. 
2. Tice JA, Ettinger B, Ensrud K, Wallace R, Blackwell T, Cummings SR. Phytoestrogen supplements for the treatment of hot flashes: the Isoflavone Clover Extract (ICE) Study: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 290(2):207-14, 2003.
3. Pruthi S, Qin R, Terstreip SA, et al. A phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of flaxseed for the treatment of hot flashes: North Central Cancer Treatment Group N08C7. Menopause. 19(1):48-53, 2012.
4. Lucas M, Asselin G, Mérette C, Poulin MJ, Dodin S. Effects of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on hot flashes and quality of life among middle-aged women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Menopause. 16(2):357-66, 2009.
5. Colli MC, Bracht A, Soares AA, et al. Evaluation of the efficacy of flaxseed meal and flaxseed extract in reducing menopausal symptoms. J Med Food. 15(9):840-5, 2012.
6. Lipovac M, Chedraui P, Gruenhut C, et al. The effect of red clover isoflavone supplementation over vasomotor and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. Gynecol Endocrinol. 28(3):203-7, 2012.
7. Lewis JE, Nickell LA, Thompson LU, Szalai JP, Kiss A, Hilditch JR. A randomized controlled trial of the effect of dietary soy and flaxseed muffins on quality of life and hot flashes during menopause. Menopause. 13(4):631-42, 2006.
8. Lambert MNT, Thorup AC, Hansen ESS, Jeppesen PB. Combined red clover isoflavones and probiotics potently reduce menopausal vasomotor symptoms. PLoS One. 12(6):e0176590, 2017.
9. Kanadys W, Barańska A, Błaszczuk A, et al. Evaluation of clinical meaningfulness of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) extract to relieve hot flushes and menopausal symptoms in peri- and post-menopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrients. 13(4):1258, 2021.
10. Franco OH, Chowdhury R, Troup J, et al. Use of plant-based therapies and menopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 315(23):2554-63, 2016.  
11. Mohammady M, Janani L, Jahanfar S, Mousavi MS. Effect of omega-3 supplements on vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 228:295-302, 2018.

Updated 04/19/23