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Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) - Safe & Effective Natural Alternatives (2024)

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Safe and Effective Alternatives to HRT

If you’ve spoken to a doctor or friend about menopause treatments, you’d likely have heard of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). However, while some women have experienced positive results from HRT, others are wary because of well-reported side-effects from the use of hormones to manage menopausal symptoms.

Why is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) not recommended?

According to the National Cancer Institute1, HRT is not recommended due to serious unintended side effects such as:
  • Women who took either combined hormone therapy or estrogen alone had an increased risk of stroke, blood clots, and heart attack2,3. For women in both groups, however, this risk returned to normal levels after they stopped taking the medication4,5.
  • In study done with 16,000+ women, researchers found that women who took estrogen alone or estrogen plus progestin had an increased risk of urinary incontinence2
  • Women who took estrogen plus progestin had more vaginal bleeding that required assessment by endometrial biopsy than women who took placebo4
  • HRT can interact with other medications a person is taking, which may reduce their effectiveness or cause other health problems.

Safe & Effective Natural Alternatives to HRT

  • Phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body without the side effects of estrogen therapy. They can be found in a variety of foods, such as soybeans and flaxseeds. But they are most conveniently found in supplements designed to keep menopause symptoms down. Researchers believe that phytoestrogens can bind to estrogen receptors in the body6, which may help to reduce the intensity and frequency of hot flashes.
  • Studies7,8 suggest that Vitamins E and B6 could be helpful in reducing the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats.
  • Multiple studies9,10 on a variety of probiotic species and strains have seen positive results in reducing reported hot flashes and night sweats. Researchers believe that probiotics mitigate these symptoms by supporting a healthy microbiome.
  • Lower estrogen levels activate oxidative and inflammatory processes which cause symptoms of menopause, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction in menopausal women. Herbs like curcumin have found to lower oxidative stress11 and suggests that curcumin supplement could improve menopause symptoms.

What Clinically Studied Ingredients Keep Menopause Symptoms Down?

  • A 2010 study12 on Lactobacillus Gasseri SBT2055 found 4.6% reduction in belly fats and improvements in body weight, BMI, and the waist area.
  • Another 2022 study9 on Lactobacillus Gasseri CP2305 conducted with 80 women aged 40 to 60 found significant relief in hot flashes and night sweats after 6 months of consumption.
  • 62 peri-menopausal women aged 40-65 reported experiencing more than 5 hot flashes a day. After taking red clover isoflavone and a probiotic blend for 3 months, their frequency and intensity of hot flashes and night sweats reduced significantly13.
  • Curcumin is widely studied and its benefits include fighting inflammation and increasing the antioxidant capacity of the body14 (which slows the aging process). Recent studies demonstrated that inflammation and oxidative stress activate menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes or night sweats. A recent study11 on 81 women saw reduced hot flashes and night sweats after consuming curcumin for 8 weeks.
  • Chasteberry is commonly used to alleviate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. But a 2017 study15 suggests that it is also effective in alleviating menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.

Keep in mind, not all menopause supplements are created equal. Different brands use different ingredients, and some formulas are simply going to be more effective than others.

At Supplement Review, we’ve analyzed some of the top-selling menopause supplements on the market to help guide you in the right direction. We’ll show you what to look for and what to avoid in a high-quality supplement, plus, we share our top 5 picks of the year.

High Quality Menopause Supplement Checklist

The FDA doesn’t require third-party verification. However, responsible and honest supplement manufacturers get third-party verifications as an act of good faith to provide transparency and distinguish products. Certifications verify ingredients and quantities claimed on the label. Look out for these important certifications before buying a supplement – GMP, USP, NSF, Certified Organic, NON-GMO certified.

Never buy a supplement just on ‘hearsay’ or just because it has ingredients that are used in traditional medicine. Let the facts speak for themselves. Always look out for clinically-studied ingredients whose efficacy are supported by a body of evidence.
Sadly, according to the New York Times16, one in four products sold on Amazon is fake. This is especially true of nutritional supplements. Avoid buying supplements on Ebay. When you buy from Amazon, ensure you buy from the manufacturer’s Amazon store. Otherwise, buy directly from the manufacturer’s website. Buying fraudulent products may cause nasty side effects — be extra cautious about authenticity.
All supplements made in the USA are regulated by the FDA. The same applies to those made in Canada and Australia. Ensure products you buy come from FDA regulated facilities using GMP certified manufacturing processes. Many supplements, especially those purchased on eBay and Amazon come from China and abroad. One study found 60%-70% of these ‘foreign’ supplements do not contain the ingredients or quantities claimed on labels17.
A risk-free guarantee lets you try supplements without fear of losing your money. If you try the product and don’t experience the results simply contact the manufacturer for a refund. Look for companies who have a “no-bottle-return’ policy. This allows you to finish the supplements without incurring any risk. And it’s also the best sign of how confident the company is in standing behind their promises.

Best HRT Alternatives (2024)

1. Provitalize 18

By BB Company.

Overall Grade: A+
Score: 9.5/10
Try Provitalize

Pros

  • Clinically studied L. Gasseri, B. Breve, and B. Lactis probiotic strains.
  • 350mg of Curcumin (Turmeric Root Extract)
  • 100% natural with no filler
  • Trademarked delayed-release capsules for protection against stomach acid
  • Stimulant and caffeine-free, GMO-free, hormone-free
  • Keto-friendly, vegan-friendly, and paleo-friendly
  • Made in a certified GMP facility in USA
  • 90-day money back guarantee (no bottle return needed)

Cons

  • Sold exclusively online

The Bottom Line :

Provitalize by Better Body Co. is Supplement Review’s number one choice thanks to its 100% natural, no-filler formulation. 

Based on public reviews, customers have reported visible improvements in belly fat reduction, weight loss, fewer and less intense hot flashes and night sweats, better sleep, more energy, and better joint health.

Provitalize contains 350mg of curcumin per serving and clinically studied probiotic strains of L. Gasseri, B. Breve, and B. Lactis. It is difficult to find another product that contains this combination of ingredients.

Additionally, it’s third-party tested for purity and potency. The bright orange capsules are remembered most by customers as its trademark feature.

Provitalize also has one of the most generous money-back guarantees in the supplements industry, which demonstrates the confidence in their product. Customers who don’t experience results within 90 days of purchase may write in to their 24/7 customer support team for a refund.

With that, Provitalize takes a well-deserved spot at the top.

*Results are based on users’ personal experiences collected on this page and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using these products. Please see the product website for more information.

Try Provitalize

2. Slim Gut Bundle

By BB Company.

Overall Grade: A
Score: 9.1/10
Try Slim Gut Bundle

Pros

  • Plant-based estrogens from Moringa leaf and Burdock root
  • Clinically studied L. Gasseri, B. Breve, and B. Lactis probiotic strains.
  • 350mg of Curcumin (Turmeric Root Extract)
  • 100% natural with no filler
  • Stimulant and caffeine-free, GMO-free, hormone-free
  • Keto-friendly, vegan-friendly, and paleo-friendly
  • Made in a certified GMP facility in USA
  • 90-day money back guarantee (no bottle return needed)
  • Further 15% discount on minimum 90-day Autoship subscription

Cons

  • Due to popular demand, frequently out of stock
  • Sold exclusively online

The Bottom Line :

The Slim Gut Bundle is even more impressive than Provitalize alone because of the Previtalize prebiotic included in this bundle. Previtalize contains burdock root, a phytoestrogen that mimics estrogen in our body without the nasty side effects.

Probiotics work best with prebiotics, as prebiotics serve as the nutrients for probiotics to thrive in our gut. We like that Better Body Co. bundled these products together for a discount and offers an even steeper discount of 15% for customers who commit for the full 90-day experience.

They understand that many customers who hop from one product to another often don’t find success because they don’t give the product enough time to work. To assure customers, they have an industry-leading 90-day money-back guarantee. Unlike most supplement companies, they do not require customers to return the bottles to them to qualify for a refund.

Given the well thought-out formulation and bundling offer, the Slim Gut bundle deserves the second spot on our top 5.

*Results are based on users’ personal experiences collected on this page and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using these products. Please see the product website for more information.

Try Slim Gut Bundle

3. Equelle

By Pharmavite

Equelle for Menopause
Overall Grade: A-
Score: 8.7/10
Try Equelle

Pros

  • 120mg of Calcium
  • 5mg of S-equol
  • Hormone-free
    •  

Cons

  • Limited safety data on S-equol
  • Only sold within USA

The Bottom Line :

Equelle contains S-equol, which is a phytoestrogen that mimics the function of estrogen. It is said to be backed by 20 years of research. We like the transparency on their website as they claim to not meddle with customer reviews.

According to their Amazon reviews, Equelle received a similar percentage of satisfied and unsatisfied customers as other menopause supplements, which suggests limited advantages over other formulations.

With that said, because no supplement works for everyone, we think that given the sound scientific studies conducted to support its effectiveness, Equelle deserves the #3 spot on our list.

*Results are based on users’ personal experiences collected on this page and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using these products. Please see the product website for more information.

Try Equelle

4. Relizen

By Bonafide
Overall Grade: B
Score: 8.1/10
Try Relizen

Pros

  • 320mg of Purified Cytoplasmic Blend
  • Plant-based
  • Made in a certified GMP facility in USA

Cons

  • Contains fillers
  • Formula is not known to public
  • One of the most expensive options on the market

The Bottom Line :

We like Relizen’s plant-based formulation and the scientific approach they took to test the product’s efficacy. Relizen contains only two ingredients – its proprietary blend.

However, Amazon reviews show that Relizen does not enjoy higher ratings than other hot flashes and night sweats supplements despite the scientific approach. It also takes roughly 90 days to work, which is similar to other health supplements. Given its scientific efficacy and time needed to work, it may not deserve its high price.

On the other hand, we like that Relizen has taken a non-hyped and science-first approach, and customers don’t seem to be complaining about any side-effects. For this reason, we think Relizen deserved the fourth spot in our top 5.

*Results are based on users’ personal experiences collected on this page and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using these products. Please see the product website for more information.

Try Relizen

5. Hormone Harmony

By Happy Mammoth

Overall Grade: B-
Score: 7.7/10
Try Hormone Harmony

Pros

  • 100% natural and plant-based
  • Contains 12 ingredients

Cons

  • Some reported side-effects seem more serious than usual
  • Costs substantially more than the other options

The Bottom Line :

We like that Happy Mammoth has combined multiple ingredients backed by scientific studies to improve menopausal symptoms.

However, Hormone Harmony seems to have a higher than average number of customer complaints about customer service. For this reason, we have ranked it as #5 as we think that a product sold exclusively online needs to have above average customer satisfaction.

*Results are based on users’ personal experiences collected on this page and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using these products. Please see the product website for more information.

Try Hormone Harmony
OR
Check Out Verified Customer Reviews Of The #1 Hot Flashes & Night Sweats Supplements
Nancy Grace
Researcher and Science Writer
Nancy specializes in science journalism and factual information in the fields of health, medicine, and nutrition. She spends hours each week pouring through 100s of medical journals and research studies to increase accessibility to the depths of information by the everyday person.
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* The information contained within this site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have, expect to have, or suspect you may have any medical condition, you are urged to consult with a health care provider. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or medical conditions. Results are based on the Supplement Review Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

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