Fenugreek Extract May Help Reduce Menopause Symptoms

For many women, menopause brings a host of unpleasant symptoms, ranging from irritability to physical discomfort. A recent study suggests that fenugreek extract may reduce hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause.

Participants in the study included 88 women who were given either 1,000 mg per day of fenugreek extract or a placebo daily for 90 days. At the conclusion of the study, the fenugreek group had a 57% reduction in scores of night sweats, a 68% reduction in mood swings, a 75% reduction in insomnia, and a 54% reduction in headaches.

They also had a 48% reduction in number of hot flashes, from three to five per day at baseline to one to two after taking the extract. Additionally, 32% of the women had no hot flashes at all by the end of the trial period. They also noted improvements in vaginal dryness, irritability, and anxiety.

The placebo group had increased levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, but no similar increases were noted in the fenugreek group.

Researchers from the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bangalore, India, conducted the study. It was published on July 13, 2016, in Phytotherapy Research.

Previous studies have found a correlation between fenugreek seed extract and digestive health, improved heart health, improved female sexual function, and reductions in high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Fenugreek has a sweet taste that is often compared to maple syrup and can be added directly to food. It can also be taken as a supplement.