If you’re reading this, you might be going through menopause, or you know someone who is. It’s a significant transition that every woman goes through, but it can also come with a range of physical and emotional changes. Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and trouble sleeping are just a few of the symptoms that can make this journey feel overwhelming and isolating.
As someone who has been through menopause, I get it. It’s a time when you can feel like your body is playing tricks on you, and it’s easy to lose sight of who you are. But, the good news is that you’re not alone. Millions of women worldwide are going through the same thing, and many are facing similar challenges.
Thankfully, there are different menopause treatments you can try to feel better.
The Supplement Review team dug into 50+ full-text articles and marketplaces to identify the 20 most popular menopause treatments and went through 100s of clinical studies and health authority sites to highlight the benefits and risks for each treatment, what to look out for, and our top 5 recommendations to help you feel your best.
This may be news to you, but menopause probiotics are becoming one of the most popular menopause treatments. Emerging research1,2 suggests that the drop in estrogen levels activates three processes responsible for menopausal symptoms – namely higher inflammation, lower metabolism, and higher fat deposition. Together, they cause weight gain, bloating, leaky gut, joint pain or osteoarthritis, sleep problems, among other issues. The good news is that good gut health can regulate and support healthy estrogen levels and promote hormone balance3,4,5. In addition, a growing body of research suggests that some probiotics contain anti-inflammatory properties which helps to alleviate the estrogen-related problems6,7.
HRT has been the most sought-after treatment for menopause for the past few decades. Because it is widely used, the risks are also well-documented.
The National Healthcare Service in the UK8 lists bloating, breast tenderness and swelling, leg cramps, indigestion, and vaginal bleeding as some of the main side effects, and an increased risk of blood clots and certain types of cancer as more serious risks.
For this reason, we recommend women who prefer to undergo HRT to consult with their primary care doctor first before proceeding. Otherwise, we recommend seeking safer options to start.
Other than menopause probiotics and HRT, there are also pharmaceutical drugs available to manage menopausal symptoms. This includes Antidepressants, Gabapentin, Clonidine, and Vaginal Moisturizers and Lubricants.
As with most pharmaceutical drugs, there may be undesired side effects9,10 such as blurred vision and nausea, diarrhea, and memory problems. We recommend speaking to your physical care doctor before trying any of these treatments.
In the past few decades, there have been several herbal remedies known to alleviate certain menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, mood instability, and low energy. This includes Red Clover, Black Cohosh, Dong Quai, and more.
What’s interesting is a recent spate of studies on Curcumin showing its ability to fight obesity11, alleviate hot flashes12, and showing positive results as a phytoestrogen13 (or plant-based estrogen) in combating certain cancers.
As mentioned earlier, curcumin is emerging as a popular phytoestrogen because of its nutrient-packed property. Recent research studies on curcumin demonstrated its ability to tackle oxidative stress which is responsible for accelerated aging in our body and support metabolism levels11, alleviate hot flashes and lower inflammatory markers12, and act as a plant-based estrogen13, which can supplement the missing active estrogen circulating in the body.
We can’t discuss herbal remedies without mentioning black cohosh. Since the 2000s, women have used black cohosh to manage common menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. A 2013 study18 showed positive results in postmenopausal women who took black cohosh and saw reduced severity and number of hot flashes after 4 and 8 weeks.
However, this is not without controversy. The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) released an evidence-based position statement in 200419 to use it for only less than six months.
Another 2004 study20 of 351 women found that black cohosh did not produce significant relief in terms of intensity or frequency after 3, 6, or 12 months.
A 2017 study21 on 62 perimenopausal women aged 40-65 found that a combination of red clover isoflavones and probiotics potently reduced hot flashes frequency and intensity.
FOS is a fiber commonly found in bananas, garlics, onions, and many more, and you might be thinking, “how does a fiber help with menopausal symptoms?”
Apart from common menopausal symptoms like weight gain, bloating, and hot flashes, there are also less reported symptoms like joint pain or osteoarthritis and sleep problems.
This is where FOS comes in. Three studies suggest that FOS may be more important than most women are aware of:
Before you decide on a menopause treatment, we want to highlight six key things to look out for to ensure you pick the safest and most effective option that suits you.
This goes without saying, but we strongly recommend choosing a treatment that has been clinically studied so you have full awareness of the benefits and risks. When it comes to supplements or herbal remedies, avoid hearsay and pay attention to what the clinical studies say.
Side effects can range from minor like bloating to major like cardiovascular diseases and cancers. It is important to have full awareness of the potential side effects. Try to take the safe approach instead so that any minor side effect can be overcome easily or reversed and treated.
Sadly, according to the New York Times,25 one in four products sold on Amazon is fake. This is especially true of nutritional supplements. When buying from Amazon, ensure you do so from the brand’s Amazon store. Otherwise, purchase directly from the brand’s official website. Consuming fraudulent products may cause nasty side effects — so be extra cautious.
All supplements made in the USA are under FDA regulation. The same applies for Canada and Australia. Ensure products you buy come from FDA/TGA-registered facilities using GMP certified manufacturing processes. Many supplements, especially those purchased on eBay and Amazon are manufactured abroad, with little to no regulation. One study looked at 44 herbal supplements sold in North America and found 60% do not contain the ingredients or quantities claimed on the labels26.
If you are looking for a relatively safe and effective menopause treatment without hormones, we cannot recommend Provitalize more. Provitalize contains 350mg of curcumin per serving, 3 clinically studied anti-inflammatory probiotic strains (L.Gasseri SBT2055, B.Breve IDCC4401, and B.Lactis R101-8), and phytoestrogens like moringa leaves (not forgetting curcumin). It is also encapsulated in DRcaps®, which help protect nutritional supplement ingredients that are sensitive to stomach acid. This maximizes the effectiveness of every serving.
When it comes to refund policies, Provitalize is backed by an industry-leading money-back guarantee. No bottle returns are necessary if you choose to refund the product because you had an unpleasant experience. You can either make a one-time purchase (backed by 90-day money-back guarantee) or subscribe to their Autoship program (backed by 180-day money-back guarantee). We believe that their unique combination of ingredients and generous refund policy speak volume of the confidence in their product and deserve the #1 position in our recommendations.
As with any nutritional supplement, we recommend taking it for at least 90 days so you can experience the full benefits before deciding if it works for you.
The Slim Gut Bundle contains Previtalize, a prebiotic specially designed to enhance the efficacy of Provitalize. According to customer reviews, some customers who saw slower results with Provitalize experienced significant improvements after adding Previtalize. Previtalize contains 500mg of Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and four other natural fibers including Burdock Root.
We weren’t able to explore the benefits of Burdock Root in this article so far, but Burdock Root tea also showed positive results in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in patients experiencing osteoarthritis in their knees28. We believe that Burdock Root is a great addition for anyone who may be at risk or experiencing joint pains, especially if you’re over 55.
Like its counterpart, customers who buy the Slim Gut Bundle will also enjoy a 90-day money-back guarantee and a further 15% discount as well as extended money-back guarantee if they sign up for the Autoship program.
ProEstro contains a number of phytoestrogens including Black Cohosh, Shatavari, Chaste Tree Berry, Dong Quai, Ginger Root, Epimedium. Each ingredient has research studies showing some levels of efficacy. They also have a decent number of positive customer reviews compared to other phytoestrogen supplements.
However, one downside is their proprietary blend. When it comes to proprietary blends, it is necessary to monitor your health closely even if you are experiencing positive results. Supplements are not regulated by the FDA, which means consumers should pay close attention to their body and be alert when something feels off.
For example, an overdose of black cohosh has previously led to hepatic toxicity,convulsion, and cardiovascular and circulatory disorder30. This is not to say that it is an immediate concern or related to ProEstro, but an additional area that consumers of such products need to be aware of.
Overall, given that majority of customers have rated it 3-5 stars on Amazon, we think it deserves the #4 spot.
EstroSense is a hormone balancing supplement that aims to support the detoxification of toxins naturally produced in the body during menopause or PMS. It is crafted with calcium-D-glucarate, indole-3-carbinol, green tea, turmeric and rosemary as well as milk thistle seed, lycopene and sulforaphane.
Calcium-D-glucarate, indole-3-carbinol, lycopene, and sulforaphane seem to all inhibit or lower estrogen levels in the body, so it is likely that women who have higher than normal levels of estrogen will benefit from it. This could also possibly explain why there is a low amount of curcumin in the formulation.
Since women undergoing menopause typically have lower, not higher levels of estrogen, we suggest that women who are considering EstroSense check with their doctor to confirm they have a high level of estrogen before trying the product.
In conclusion, menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life that can cause uncomfortable symptoms. However, there are several treatment options available, from hormone replacement therapy to natural supplements. When choosing a menopause treatment, it is important to look for clinically studied ingredients and consult with a healthcare provider if you are unsure.
With the right treatment, women can manage their symptoms and enjoy a healthy and comfortable life through menopause and beyond.
