Top-Rated Menopause Supplements and Vitamins for the Year 2025
Menopause, a natural event marking the end of menstrual cycles, can bring about a range of symptoms including hot flashes, changes in sex drive, night sweats, weight gain, insomnia, and mood changes. While hormone therapy can be effective for relief from these symptoms, it requires a prescription and may carry side effects. In this article, we explore various supplements that may help ease menopause symptoms and support overall health.
Brain Health and Mood Support
B vitamins, such as folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, play a central role in brain health and may also help protect against depression, an issue that affects many people during menopause. Vitamin B6 may help reduce or prevent symptoms including loss of energy and depression during and after menopause. However, vitamin B12 should be used with caution in people with certain health conditions, such as heart problems, high blood pressure, cancer, a history of cancer, skin problems, gastrointestinal problems, low potassium, gout, and when taking medications that affect bleeding or clotting.
Symptom Relief and Overall Health
Certain vitamins may help ease menopause symptoms and support overall health. These include vitamins A, D, and B12. Vitamin A, when taken in appropriate forms and dosages, can be beneficial during perimenopause and menopause. However, vitamin A supplements may cause liver toxicity and low blood pressure, so use with caution or avoid if you have liver issues, drink a lot of alcohol, have low blood pressure, take medications that lower blood pressure, take oral contraceptives, use tetracycline antibiotics, have poor fat absorption, take blood thinners, or medications that affect bleeding or clotting.
Vitamin D has been studied for its ability to decrease the incidence and severity of hot flashes. It has also been linked to high blood pressure and may negatively impact blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it's important to use vitamin D supplements with caution if you have diabetes, low blood sugar, or low blood pressure, or if you take medications that affect blood sugar and blood pressure.
Vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of bone fractures, bone pain, and osteomalacia (softening of the bones), and taking a supplement may help maintain appropriate levels. Females ages 19 to 70 years should get 15 mcg (600 IU) of vitamin D daily; those over 70 years should get 20 mcg (800 IU).
Herbal Supplements
Some herbal supplements could be beneficial for the treatment of hot flashes and night sweats. These include dong quai, maca root, red clover, black cohosh, wild yam, chasteberry, and soy isoflavones.
Choosing the Right Supplement
When choosing a supplement for menopause, consider intended use, quality ingredients, dosage, budget, and consulting a healthcare professional. It's also important to note that while menopause supplements often contain a blend of herbal ingredients and are generally considered safe when used as directed, there are no specific FDA-registered manufacturers currently identified for menopause supplements considered safe. Consumers should seek products from reputable companies with good manufacturing practices and consult healthcare professionals for safety.
Available Supplements
There are various supplements available for menopause, such as Thorne Meta-Balance, Bonafide Ristela, HUM Nutrition Fan Club, Bonafide Relizen, SM Nutrition DIM 200 mg with BioPerine, New Chapter Every Woman's One Daily 40+ Multivitamin, Nutrafol Women's Balance Capsules, Pure Encapsulations MenoVive 60s, NOW Menopause Support, Future Kind Vegan Omega 3 Supplement, HUM B12 Turbo, and Olly Mellow Menopause supplements.
Potential Interactions
Vitamins may interact with common over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs, so it's best to ask your doctor or pharmacist about potential interactions before taking them.
The Antioxidant Benefits of Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps fight cell-damaging free radicals in the body and may also help reduce inflammation. To increase vitamin E during and after menopause, take a vitamin E supplement and add foods rich in vitamin E to your diet. Aim for at least 15 mg, says the NIH.
In conclusion, while menopause is a natural event, the symptoms can be challenging to manage. Supplements may provide relief and support overall health, but it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional before adding them to your routine, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking other medications. Always choose supplements based on criteria such as ingredients, quality testing, health concerns, brand reputation, and vetting.
