The best menopause supplements for weight loss can help when hormone imbalances caused by peri menopause and menopause are contributing to weight gain. Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness are just a few of the symptoms that can make life miserable for women going through this natural transition.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause is a biological cycle whereby the ovaries begin to generate less progesterone and estrogen, and menstrual bleeding fades away. For most women, this phase starts around age 40, when their cycles may become irregular.
Then by age 50, more women may suffer from other menopause symptoms like unpleasant mood swings, hot flashes, and night sweats.
Most people do not know that this phase in a woman’s life comes in three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.
In all the stages, in addition to the other symptoms we have listed above, you may also experience:
- Sleep disturbances
- Low sex drive
- Mental health fluctuations
Benefits of Menopause Supplements
By using menopause supplements, you can provide the body with nutrients to support optimal functioning, similar to pre-menopause levels. In menopause supplements, there are several ingredients found like black cohosh and evening primrose oil, which are said to stimulate and promote healthy hormone balancing in the female reproductive cycle.
But that is not all the potential benefits of menopause supplements. Here are the other potential health advantages that may benefit the menopausal female body:
- It supports bone health by increasing bone density and reducing joint pain.
- It supports mental health.
- They may support skin health.
- They may support heart health.
Why do people gain weight during and after menopause?
The Office on Women’s Health (OWH)Trusted Source explains that many women gain about 5 pounds after menopause as their ovaries start producing less estrogen. Estrogen is the hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle and aids in the development of the breasts, skin, and pelvic muscles, among others.
The OWH mentions some health conditions that may develop when the body has low estrogen levels. These include:
- Stroke: Women over 55 years have a higher risk of experiencing a stroke. The low estrogen levels may cause bad cholesterol to accumulate on the artery walls that lead to the brain.
- Urinary incontinence: This can occur post-menopause as the urethra weakens, which causes some women to have difficulty holding in their urine.
- Osteoporosis: This is a condition that causes the bones to weaken. It can occur after menopause as the body starts losing bone mass quickly.
- Oral issues: Oral issues such as dry mouth and cavities can develop in the years after menopause.
According to Better Health Channel, other factors can lead to weight gain after menopause, such as:
- aging
- chemotherapy
- reduced physical activity
- family history of obesity
- antidepressant medications
Can supplements help with menopause weight gain?
There is no high quality evidence that weight loss supplements work in people with or without menopause symptoms.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source states that some companies carry products to help people manage their menopause symptoms and market them as dietary supplements. They claim to remedy weight gain, hair loss, or signs of aging, but they may be harmful to a person’s health.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH)Trusted Source state that these weight loss products claim to reduce appetite and body fat and increase metabolism without clear evidence. The NIH also states that weight loss supplements are expensive, and some ingredients in weight loss supplements can interact with certain medications a person may be taking.
It is best for people to ask their doctor if they want to learn more about these products, particularly if they have high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.
The NIH lists some common ingredients in dietary supplements for weight loss, such as:
- Chromium: This is a mineral the body needs to regulate blood sugar levels. A 2019 review of the research on the effects of chromium supplements in people with obesity showed a 1.65-pound reduction in weight as well as a 0.68% reduction in body fat percentage.
- Caffeine: A 2016 study found that teenagers with high caffeine consumption may experience depression, insomnia, stress, and difficulty concentrating on work.
- Green tea extract: According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, green tea extract can cause liver problems, symptoms of which include nausea and stomach pain. It can also reduce the effectiveness of nadolol, a drug that people take for high blood pressure.
A 2019 study states that there should be regulations requiring dietary supplements claiming to reduce weight and build muscles to provide evidence and pass safety protocols. The researchers found that those who used these products were nearly three times more likely to need hospitalization or emergency care compared with those taking vitamin supplements.
A 2021 study explains that there is not enough evidence to support the efficacy of weight loss supplements. A person should check the scientific evidence available before buying dietary supplements.
The Best Menopause Supplements for Women
Smoky Mountain Naturals DIM + BioPerine Estrogen Metabolism Support
BEST VEGAN MENOPAUSE SUPPLEMENT
3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM), is derived in the body from plant substances found in cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and kale, and has been found to support the body’s estrogen metabolism and balance — something most menopausal women need. Just one capsule of this vegan-certified concoction per day helps reduce night sweats, hot flashes, and maintain weight levels. “Great product,” reads one of the reviews. “Feeling much more energetic with less mood swings. Will happily buy again.”
Amberen Multi-Symptom Menopause Relief
TOP-RATED MENOPAUSE SUPPLEMENT
With over 5,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, this menopause relief supplement regulates hormones and improves mood and energy levels. Using a special blend of antioxidants, amino acids, and vitamin E, it also reduces hot flashes and night sweats. “Amberen has made all the difference in dealing with menopause,” reads Laura’s review. “For almost 2 years I’d been dealing with horrible hot flashes and sharp changes of moods. With a considerable amount of doubt I tried Amberen … I was shocked when my hot flashes stopped and my mood swings were far less! I sound like an advertisement but being able to sit next to my husband and hold his hand without feeling like I’m going to melt is very welcome! That guy still frustrates me, but the mood swings are minimal, making marriage better!”
O Positive MENO Menopause Vitamin Capsules
BEST HORMONE-FREE SUPPLEMENT FOR MENOPAUSE
HRT doesn’t work for every women, and some of us rather fight menopausal symptoms naturally. MENO, the newly released supplement from O Positiv, is loaded with ingredients approved by Mother Nature — and science! It has black cohosh to help temperature regulation when hot flashes strike. Its chasteberry balances estrogen and progesterone, so you experience less mood swings and hormonal weight gain. The two-pill a day supplement also features the adaptogen Ashwagandha for stress, and vitamin D6 and B3 promote bone health and immunity. People are already raving about their improved symptoms, with one happy customer stating it’s helped her “sleeplessness, anxiousness, and sweating out of nowhere.” Along with being hormone-free, MENO doesn’t include soy, is vegan friendly, and is good for those avoiding gluten.
One A Day Menopause Formula
BEST MULTIVITAMINS FOR MENOPAUSE
No more setting reminders to take your pills. With just one tablet a day, you can reduce the unpleasant symptoms of menopause, and get in your daily multivitamin dose, too! Vitamins C, D, E, B6, B12, plus calcium, magnesium, and soybean isoflavones are packed into these capsules to alleviate hot flashes and mood swings, promote healthy skin, keep bone health intact, and increase energy levels. “I love this product,” Sonya wrote of this Amazon choice pick. “I have felt such a difference in my hot flashes and night sweats within 3 weeks of taking this product.”
NOW Menopause Support
BEST VEGETARIAN MENOPAUSE SUPPLEMENT
NOW has been a trusted supplement brand since the ’60s, and its menopause support supplement has a soothing blend of herbal extracts and other key ingredients that will help you pass through menopause much more easily. Better yet, it’s nut and egg-free, making it safe for vegetarian consumption.
Susan wrote, “I got results after one dose. I have been suffering from night sweats and extreme hot flashes for several months now. … I took three capsules before going to bed the day I received my order. No night sweats ensued in the wee hours of the morning. No hot flashes while drying my hair. No more turning on a fan in my office every 30 minutes, then turning a heater on. This truly works for me.”
WomenSense EstroSense by Natural Factors
BEST MENOPAUSE SUPPLEMENT FOR HORMONAL BALANCE
Designed to help restore your hormonal balance, EstroSence’s list of natural antioxidant ingredients, such as milk thistle, green tea, turmeric, and rosemary, help the body to prevent a buildup of natural toxins. Non-GMO and gluten-free, this daily supplement also helps to regulate estrogen, with many users reporting that they feel a big difference after using it.
“This is a great product,” wrote J. “My doctor highly recommends it for menopausal women. Within a couple of weeks, I was feeling wonderful.”
“I have noticed a big difference in my metabolism and menopause symptoms,” added reviewer Caro. “It’s great.”
Supplements for Menopause
Black Cohosh: Help for Hot Flashes?
Black cohosh is one of the most well studied supplements for menopause. It’s made from the root of the North American black cohosh plant. Several studies have found it helps — especially with hot flashes — when compared to placebo (a fake treatment). But other studies haven’t found a benefit. One warning: Don’t use it if you have liver problems.
Flaxseed: Easing Night Sweats
Flaxseed and flaxseed oil may help some women with mild menopause symptoms. It’s a good source of lignans, which tend to balance female hormones. Not all studies have shown these benefits in relieving hot flashes, though.
Calcium: Preventing Bone Loss
Bone loss can become a serious problem once hormone levels drop after menopause. It’s crucial to get enough calcium. Women under 51 need 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day. Women 51 and older need 1,200 milligrams a day.
Tip: It’s best to get your calcium from food. If you need supplements to fill the gap, take smaller doses with food during the day (no more than 500 mg at a time). You’ll absorb it better.
Red Clover: Popular but Unproven
Many women use red clover hoping that its natural plant estrogens will ease their menopause symptoms. So far, though, the research results have been mixed.
Despite early concern, recent studies have not shown an increase in uterine cancer when women took red clover for 3 months. But it’s always best to talk to your doctor if you’re concerned.
Vitamin D: Get Some Sun
Vitamin D is just as important as calcium for bone health. Without vitamin D, your body can’t absorb calcium. Most adults need 600 IU daily. Those 71 and older need 800 IU per day. Vitamin D is in many foods and supplements, but there’s another source: the sun.
Tip: You may have heard that your body produces vitamin D when exposed to sun. That’s true, but even small amounts of sun can lead to skin damage. It’s best to focus on food and use supplements if you don’t get enough in your diet.
Wild Yam: Alternative to Hormones
Pills and creams made from certain species of wild yam are popular alternatives to hormone therapy for menopause. Some of the natural compounds in these yams appear similar to estrogen and progesterone, but it’s possible they are not active in people. So far, clinical studies have not found that they ease menopause symptoms.
Ginseng: Mood Booster
A few studies have found evidence that the different types of ginseng might help improve quality of life during menopause. Ginseng has been shown to boost mood and improve sleep. But so far, studies haven’t found that either American or Korean ginseng helps with physical symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes.