NCCIH: Menopausal Symptoms - In Depth (complementary approaches and supplements)

Tier 1: Established: peer-reviewed research or government health authority
Publisher: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), National Institutes of Health · Published: September 17, 2026 · Accessed: September 17, 2026

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Claims this source supports

• Phytoestrogens, herbs, and other dietary supplements have not been clearly shown to relieve menopause symptoms.
• Studies of isoflavones from soy or red clover for menopause symptom relief have had inconsistent results, and flaxseed products were found to be no more effective than placebo for reducing hot flashes.
• Hormone therapy (estrogen alone or estrogen with progestin) is the most effective therapy for menopausal hot flashes, but it may increase risk of breast cancer, blood clots and other serious problems, so if used it should be at the lowest dose for the shortest time that controls symptoms.
• Women with certain medical conditions, such as breast cancer, liver disease, or a history of blood clots, should not use hormone therapy.
• Acupuncture has not been shown to be more effective than simulated acupuncture for relieving hot flashes; evidence on hypnotherapy and mindfulness meditation is early but some studies are promising; yoga appears at least as effective as other exercise.
• Dietary supplements may have side effects or interact with drugs, and little is known about their long-term safety.
• The evidence does not support claims that custom-mixed (compounded) bioidentical hormones are more effective or safer than conventional hormone therapy.