Evidence supporting the use of: Rhodiola
For the health condition: Amenorrhea

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) is primarily used in traditional medicine, especially in Russia and parts of Asia, as an adaptogen to support stress resilience and overall vitality. Its use for amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation) is based more on traditional practices than robust scientific investigation. In traditional Russian and Eastern European medicine, rhodiola was sometimes used to support female reproductive health, particularly for women experiencing irregular menstrual cycles potentially related to stress or fatigue.

A few small, older studies conducted in Russia and Eastern Europe suggest that rhodiola may have some benefit for women with amenorrhea, particularly when stress or hypothalamic dysfunction is involved. For instance, a study published in Russian medical literature in the 1970s found that rhodiola extract appeared to restore menstrual cycles in some women with secondary amenorrhea, presumably by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. However, these studies are limited by small sample sizes, lack of placebo control, and insufficient methodological transparency.

Modern clinical evidence is lacking, and no large, high-quality randomized controlled trials have verified rhodiola’s efficacy for amenorrhea. Most contemporary use is extrapolated from its general adaptogenic effects and its traditional reputation.

In summary, rhodiola’s application for amenorrhea is justified by tradition and weak early evidence, but not by strong scientific validation.

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More about Amenorrhea