There’s a broad range of supplements available to women who are interested in managing their menopause symptoms as naturally as possible. Judging from the interest and enthusiasm of the women I talk with—that’s most of you!

Let’s take a closer look at some of the supplements that target menopause symptoms, with an eye on how they also might affect sleep.

A decision to use supplements should be made in consultation with your physician, taking into account your individual health history and risks. This is not medical advice, but I hope this discussion will give women a starting point for those conversations with their physicians about natural therapies to improve their sleep, protect their health, and reduce their uncomfortable symptoms during menopause.

When you talk to your doctor, be sure to discuss any supplements you’re considering and review potential interactions with any medications or other supplements you’re already using.

Many women who are interested in boosting their estrogen levels during and after menopause, but don’t want to use hormone replacement therapy, turn to phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are chemical compounds found naturally in plants—compounds that both act like estrogen and affect the body’s own estrogen when ingested.

Foods rich in phytoestrogens include:

Women who eat a plant-based diet, and particularly those who regularly consume soy products, are getting phytoestrogens through their diet—a factor that they should consider with their doctors when determining whether to further supplement with phytoestrogens during menopause.

There are three main types of phytoestrogens:

Research shows phytoestrogens may reduce menopause symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats, anxiety and other mood problems, and cognitive difficulties including poor memory and lack of concentration. Phytoestrogens may also offer women in and beyond menopause protection against osteoporosis and bone loss, as well as benefits for cardiovascular, metabolic health, and cognitive performance. There’s also evidence suggesting phytoestrogens may have anti-cancer effects, including reducing risks for breast cancer.

Scientific studies have shown phytoestrogens improve sleep, lowering sleep disturbances, reducing insomnia symptoms, diminishing daytime tiredness, and increasing sleep efficiency. 

The effects of phytoestrogens from food sources and supplements are complex. Because of their ability to act like and influence estrogen, a hormone, phytoestrogens directly affect the body’s endocrine system. Phytoestrogens can have both estrogenic (estrogen-promoting) and anti-estrogenic (estrogen-blocking) effects. Using phytoestrogens is a decision best made in consultation with a physician, considering a woman’s diet, age, individual health conditions and risks, other medications and supplements she’s already using, and the severity of her menopause symptoms. Because they can function like estrogen in the body, long-term use of phytoestrogens may carry similar risks as estrogen replacement therapy, and women with breast and other estrogen-influenced cancers, or who have risks for these cancers, may be advised not to use phytoestrogen supplements. Be sure to discuss both the potential benefits and potential risks with your physician before using phytoestrogen supplements.

Let’s look more closely at some of the phytoestrogen supplements used by women in menopause:

Genistein. This isoflavone may reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes and night sweats, and may also improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, according to research. genistein may offer protection to the cardiovascular system, and make it easier to avoid gaining weight. There’s also evidence linking genistein to a reduction in bone loss. Research shows this isoflavone may be helpful to sleep—thanks to its anxiolytic properties—and may increase amounts of non-REM sleep.

Daidzein. Another isoflavone, Daidzein works similarly to genistein. It’s been shown to relieve hot flashes and may help reduce bone loss, on its own and in combination with calcium.

Red clover. An isoflavone extracted from the red clover plant, some studies show that this supplement can reduce hot flashes and night sweats—while other studies indicate the benefits of red clover to hot flashes is not significant. There’s also evidence suggesting red clover may have anti-anxiety effects, helping reduce stress and promote relaxation. For this reason, red clover may also help sleep.

Resveratrol. This phytoestrogen—best-known for its presence in red wine—has been shown to reduce chronic pain in post-menopausal women, many of whom will experience pain from osteoarthritis. Other research indicates resveratrol can benefit mood, improve brain function and improve cognitive performance in post-menopausal women. Studies show dietary resveratrol may help strengthen sleep-wake cycles. Its ability to alleviate chronic pain and improve mood may also contribute to the sleep-promoting effects of resveratrol.

Flaxseed. A popular supplement for all-around health, flaxseed contains lignans that studies show may reduce hot flashes and night sweats. Research also indicates the benefits of flaxseed to cardiovascular health and its role in lowering cholesterol.

Black cohosh. I hear from a lot of women wondering about this supplement for menopause symptoms. The root of the black cohosh plant has a long history of use in Native American traditional medicine to treat menstrual symptoms and symptoms of menopause. Black cohosh is often regarded as a phytoestrogen, but more recent research suggests it may not have estrogenic effects in the body—however, the precise mechanisms of black cohosh are not yet fully understood. Research shows black cohosh may alleviate night sweats and hot flashes, as well as lowering anxiety, and reducing vaginal dryness. It’s also been shown to improve sleep, likely because of its stress and anxiety lowering capabilities. Some scientists raise questions about the research of black cohosh and its effectiveness for menopause symptoms, pointing specifically to inconsistency in the analysis and reporting of black cohosh studies.

Evening primrose oil. While not a phytoestrogen itself, evening primrose is sometimes found in combination with phytoestrogens in supplements that target women’s health and menopause symptoms. It is also available on its own, and used to treat menopause symptoms including hot flashes. High in omega-6 fatty acids, evening primrose oil may reduce inflammation, ease pain, help support brain function, and contribute to bone health.

Next week I will discuss more supplements that will help with sleep and menopause.

Sweet Dreams,

Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., DABSM