Dioscorea oppositifolia, commonly known as Chinese yam or "nagaimo," has a longstanding use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In TCM, it is thought to nourish yin, support the spleen, and moisten dryness, which is believed to help alleviate symptoms similar to those experienced during menopause, such as dryness, fatigue, and night sweats. Its use for menopause is thus rooted in traditional practice rather than modern scientific validation.

Scientifically, Dioscorea oppositifolia contains compounds such as diosgenin, a phytoestrogen. While diosgenin has structural similarity to estrogen and is a precursor used industrially to synthesize steroid hormones, there is no clear evidence that the body converts diosgenin into active estrogen naturally. Most research on diosgenin has been conducted in vitro or in animal models, and human clinical trials specifically evaluating Dioscorea oppositifolia for menopause symptoms are lacking.

In summary, the use of Dioscorea oppositifolia for menopause is justified primarily by tradition, with little robust clinical evidence to support its efficacy for this indication.