8: Herbs in Menopause

Question 1

Which herb would be used for this/these symptom(s) and is it effective?
Memory changes

Answer 1

Ginkgo (insufficient evidence of effectiveness)

Question 2

Which herb would be used for this/these symptom(s) and is it effective?
Anxiety, insomnia, vasomotor symptoms

Answer 2

Kava (Piper methysticum) (effective for anxiety; causes hepatotoxicity, so must see provider when using)

Question 3

Which herb would be used for this/these symptom(s) and is it effective?
Depression, irritability, vasomotor symptoms

Answer 3

St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) (effective for depression, possibly effective for hot flashes; often combined with black cohosh for hot flashes)

Question 4

Which herb would be used for this/these symptom(s) and is it effective?
Menopause-related symptoms

Answer 4

Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) (not beneficial; claims to convert to progesterone, but not possible)

Question 5

Which herb would be used for this/these symptom(s) and is it effective?
General tonic, improved mood, fatigue

Answer 5

Ginseng (no benefits for menopause but beneficial on well-being, general health, depression; can cause uterine bleeding and mastalgia)

Question 6

Which herb would be used for this/these symptom(s) and is it effective?
Insomnia, anxiety

Answer 6

Valerian Root (effective for insomnia with intermittent dosing and anxiety with chronic dosing)

Question 7

Which herb would be used for this/these symptom(s) and is it effective?
Gynecologic conditions

Answer 7

Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) (not effective for menopause)

Question 8

Which herb would be used for this/these symptom(s) and is it effective?
Expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral

Answer 8

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) (not effective for vasomotor symptoms; high doses cause heart issues and primary aldosteronism)

Question 9

Which herb would be used for this/these symptom(s) and is it effective?
Vasomotor symptoms

Answer 9

Black cohosh (effective)

Question 10

Which herb would be used for this/these symptom(s) and is it effective?
Sleep disturbances

Answer 10

Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) (mixed results with sleep improvement)

Question 11

Which herb would be used for this/these symptom(s) and is it effective?
Menstrual irregularity

Answer 11

Chaste tree berry (Vitex agnus castus) (effective for PMS, no research for menopause; used in Europe)

Question 12

Which herb would be used for this/these symptom(s) and is it effective?
Vasomotor symptoms and mastalgia

Answer 12

Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis) (not effective plus potentiates seizures in epilepsy patients)