Evidence supporting the use of: Evening primrose oil
For the health condition: Menopause

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) has traditionally been used to help alleviate menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes, breast pain, and mood disturbances. The basis for its use comes primarily from folk medicine and herbal traditions, which suggest that the gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid found in EPO, may have beneficial effects on hormonal balance and inflammation.

However, scientific research evaluating Evening Primrose Oil for menopause is limited and generally of low quality. A few small studies have examined its impact on hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, but results are inconsistent and often inconclusive. For example, a randomized controlled trial published in 2013 found only a minor improvement in the severity (not frequency) of hot flashes compared to placebo. Systematic reviews typically note that evidence is insufficient or of low certainty, and major medical organizations do not recommend EPO as a primary intervention for menopausal symptoms.

In summary, the use of Evening Primrose Oil for menopause is rooted in traditional practices rather than robust scientific evidence. The overall quality and consistency of the data supporting its effectiveness remain weak, and more rigorous research is needed to establish any potential benefit.

More about evening primrose oil
More about Menopause

Other ingredients used for Menopause

27-deoxyactein
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
8-Prenylnaringenin
Achyranthes
Agnuside
Agrimonia pilosa
Akebia
Alchemilla
Alfalfa
Aloe vera
amaranth
Anemarrhena
anemarrhena asphodeloides
antler
Ashoka
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
atractylodes
atractylone
banyan
barrenwort
bee pollen
bioflavonoids
black cohosh
black currant
black root
black seed
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
calcium
chaste tree
Chinese silkvine
Clary sage
Cnidium
cohosh
cordyceps
Crinum latifolium
Cynomorium
daidzein
damiana
danshen
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dioscorea
dog rose
dong quai
dong quai root
durian
eleuthero
elk antler
equol (proprietary)
estrogen
Euryale seed
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
fenugreek
Ficus religiosa
fish oil
flaxseed
fo-ti
genistein
genistin
Glycetein
goji berry
hibiscus
HMR lignan
hops
horny goat weed
Hypericum
Indian frankincense
isoflavones
jujube
knotweed
kudzu
Labisia pumila
Lady's Mantle
lemon balm
licorice root
lignans
linden
lingzhi
Loranthus
lotus
Lycium
maca
macaenes
macamides
Marine lipid
Meadow sage
Melatonin
Miroestrol
Montanoa tomentosa
Moringa
Motherwort
Nettle
okra
omega-3 fatty acids
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
Phytoestrogens
pollen
Polygonum
pomegranate
Prickly Pear Cactus
Puerain
Pulsatilla
red clover
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhubarb
rockweed
Rooibos
root tuber
Rosa laevigata
rose
rose oil
royal jelly
Rubia cordifolia
Rubus
rue
saffron
sage
seaweed
smilax
Soy
soy isoflavones
Soy Protein
soybean
Stone Root
Valerian root
Vervain
Viburnum
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Wild yam
Withanolides
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade

Products containing evening primrose oil

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.