Evidence supporting the use of: Hops
For the health condition: Menopause
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Hops (Humulus lupulus) have been used traditionally for various purposes, but their application in supporting menopausal symptoms—particularly hot flashes and sleep disturbances—has gained scientific interest due to their phytoestrogenic compounds, especially 8-prenylnaringenin. This compound is considered one of the most potent phytoestrogens found in plants and is believed to exert estrogen-like effects in the body, which can be beneficial for women experiencing menopausal symptoms related to declining estrogen levels.
Several small-scale clinical studies and randomized controlled trials have evaluated the efficacy of hops extracts in alleviating menopausal symptoms. Some studies have demonstrated a modest reduction in hot flashes and improvement in sleep quality among menopausal women taking standardized hops extracts compared to placebo. For example, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in 2006 found that women using a hops extract experienced a significant decrease in the frequency of hot flashes.
However, the overall quality and size of the available studies are limited, and not all research has shown consistent benefits. While the biological plausibility and preliminary clinical results are promising, more robust, large-scale studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety. For these reasons, the scientific evidence supporting hops for menopause is rated as moderate but not strong (2 out of 5), reflecting some validation but insufficient consensus for unequivocal clinical recommendation.
Other ingredients used for Menopause
27-deoxyactein7-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
