MOST menopause supplements are unfounded, a study has revealed.
They contain ingredients that have “limited scientific evidence” on whether they improve symptoms, but can cost up to £95 a month.
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Professor Joyce Harper, senior author of the study and a professor of reproductive science at University College London (UCL), described a “menopause gold rush”.
She said: “The menopause supplement market is growing rapidly, despite limited scientific evidence that many of these products improve menopause symptoms.
“Some social media influencers promote these products as effective solutions, despite many claims not being supported by scientific evidence.
“This can contribute to the spread of misinformation and help drive a rapidly growing menopause supplement market, leading some women to spend substantial amounts of money on supplements in the hope of improving their symptoms and overall wellbeing.”
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According to recommendations by leading menopause societies, supplements should contain both vitamin D and calcium to help with bone health.
But the study, carried out by UCL, found that less than half of the 201 products they analysed contained these nutrients.
Researchers discovered a wide range of botanicals and herbs in the supplements, including black cohosh, which is potentially toxic to the liver.
They stressed that more evidence on the effectiveness and safety of menopause supplements is now needed.
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The findings were published in Climacteric journal following an analysis of the ingredients, doses and cost of different menopause supplements from nine major retailers in the UK.
The study found that no single ingredient – or even category of ingredient – were common across the 201 products, which ranged in price between £1.50 to £95 per month.
Most were found to contain herbs (80 per cent), vitamins (77 per cent) or phytoestrogens (74 per cent) – naturally occurring plant compounds found in foods like soy and flaxseed.
Scientists observed that vitamin B6 was the most common vitamin found in all the supplements, and red clover and sage were the most common plant ingredients.
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What to know about menopause
Menopause happens when your hormone levels drop and your periods stop.
It usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier.
Menopause itself is defined as not having a period for 12 months and you’re not using hormonal contraception.
Symptoms are different for everyone, but some main ones are:
- Changes to your periods
- Hot flushes and night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Mood changes
- Poor memory
- Brain fog
- Weight gain
- Vaginal problems – such as dryness, irritations or itching
- UTIs
- Weakening bones
- Worsening headaches and migraines
- Hair thinning
- Reduced sex drive
Source: NHS
Commenting on these findings, Poppy Sullivan, first author of the study, said: “Certain botanical ingredients in some menopause supplements may also have risks.
“Black cohosh, in particular, is known to carry a potential risk of liver toxicity.”
The study found that half of the supplements they tested did not contain vitamin D and less than 24 per cent contained calcium.
This is despite the British Menopause Society and International Menopause Society highlighting the importance of these two ingredients for bone health maintenance and osteoporosis prevention post-menopause.
For women wanting to take a supplement containing both vitamin D and calcium, Boots sells a bottle of 30 tablets for £1.49, making a single pill just 5p.
The NHS recommends that adults need 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day – most people can make this themselves in the warmer months from sunlight on their skin.
A daily dose of the Boots tablets contain 5 micrograms of vitamin D and labelling recommends two pills are taken each day.
Ms Sullivan said the “huge variation in vitamin and mineral doses” in supplements was a concern.
“Some nutrients can have adverse effects when consumed in excess over time,” she says.
“For example, excessive vitamin D intake can theoretically lead to high calcium levels, which could cause adverse effects such as vomiting and confusion.”
There is little empirical evidence as to the effectiveness of even the most expensive products, the study said.
Following their findings, scientists are now calling for more high-quality research into menopause supplements, including clinical trials, to determine whether ingredients are both effective and safe.
They hope this study will also help healthcare professionals to be aware of the wide variability in the formulation of supplements.
Researchers did acknowledge, however, that the study may not have analysed all menopause supplements available on the market in the UK.
Menopause is caused by a fall in hormone levels, usually affecting women between the ages of 45 and 55.
It is estimated that there are currently around 13 million perimenopausal – when your periods start to become irregular – or menopausal women in the UK.
According to the NHS, menopause is defined as not having a period for 12 months while not using any hormonal contraception.
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Around 80 per cent of women experience symptoms such as anxiety, brain fog, low mood and hot flushes during menopause.
While hormone therapy is the main treatment for these symptoms, many women also choose to turn to supplements for symptom management.