Evidence supporting the use of: Fenugreek
For the health condition: Menopause

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is traditionally used in various cultures for women’s health, but in recent years, its use for managing menopausal symptoms has attracted scientific interest. The seeds contain phytoestrogens—plant-derived compounds that can mimic estrogen in the body. Declining estrogen is a hallmark of menopause, which leads to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.

Several small-scale clinical studies have investigated fenugreek’s potential for menopausal symptom relief. For example, a 2017 double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that fenugreek seed extract significantly reduced hot flashes and night sweats in menopausal women compared to placebo. Another study in 2016 suggested improvements in mood, vasomotor symptoms, and quality of life. These benefits are believed to be due to saponins and diosgenin, compounds in fenugreek that have estrogenic activity.

However, the scientific evidence is still limited. Most studies are small, of short duration, and sometimes industry-sponsored, which may introduce bias. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses conclude that while initial results are promising, larger high-quality trials are needed to confirm both efficacy and safety. Thus, fenugreek’s use for menopause is supported by preliminary scientific evidence, but it is not yet considered a well-established treatment.

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7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
Alfalfa
Aloe vera
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
black cohosh
black currant
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
calcium
chaste tree
cordyceps
damiana
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dog rose
dong quai root
eleuthero
evening primrose oil
fenugreek
fish oil
flaxseed
genistein
genistin
hibiscus
HMR lignan
hops
knotweed
jujube
kudzu
licorice root
lignans
maca
Marine lipid
Melatonin
Moringa
Motherwort
Nettle
okra
omega-3 fatty acids
ophiopogon root
pollen
pomegranate
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rose oil
saffron
sage
soybean
Valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
Wild yam
red clover
atractylodes
smilax
Rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
lingzhi
root tuber
dioscorea
royal jelly
equol (proprietary)
anemarrhena asphodeloides
barrenwort
goji berry
amaranth
soy isoflavones
27-deoxyactein
8-Prenylnaringenin
Akebia
antler
Achyranthes
Alchemilla
Agrimonia pilosa
Agnuside
Ashoka
Anemarrhena
atractylone
black seed
banyan
bioflavonoids
black root
Chinese silkvine
cohosh
Clary sage
Cnidium
Cynomorium
Crinum latifolium
DHEA
danshen
daidzein
durian
dong quai
Euryale seed
elk antler
evening primrose oil
estrogen
fo-ti
Ficus religiosa
Glycetein
horny goat weed
Hypericum
isoflavones
Lycium
lemon balm
Lady's Mantle
linden
lotus
Loranthus
Labisia pumila
macamides
Montanoa tomentosa
Meadow sage
Miroestrol
macaenes
Ophiopogon
Puerain
Pulsatilla
Prickly Pear Cactus
Phytoestrogens
Polygonum
rue
Rubus
rockweed
Rehmannia
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Rooibos
Rosa laevigata
rhubarb
Soy
Soy Protein
Stone Root
Vervain
Viburnum
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Withanolides
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