St. John's Wort for Menopause Support

Strong evidence 12 studies

Research suggests that St. John's Wort may offer meaningful benefits for menopausal women, particularly for mood-related symptoms such as depression and anxiety, with several reviews and a 2007 review of botanical supplements identifying it as among the better-supported options in this area alongside black cohosh. Studies indicate some support for its use in reducing vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes as well, including a 2010 randomized controlled trial reporting significant reductions in hot flash frequency and intensity, a 2014 meta-analysis finding St. John's Wort preparations significantly more effective than placebo for menopausal symptoms overall, and a 2007 large observational study showing added mood-related benefits when it was combined with black cohosh. However, findings are not uniformly positive — a small 2009 pilot trial found no statistically significant reduction in hot flash frequency compared to placebo, though participants did report improved quality of life and sleep, and multiple narrative reviews characterize the broader evidence base as promising but inconsistent, calling for larger and more rigorous trials before firm conclusions can be drawn. Safety data across studies appears generally favorable, with adverse event rates in the 2014 meta-analysis comparable to placebo, though some reviews note ongoing uncertainties around dosing and potential drug interactions that researchers say warrant caution and open communication with healthcare providers.

Related studies

Citations from PubMed and preprint sources. Match score (0-100) reflects automated search ranking, not clinical appraisal.

Title Type Year Direction Match
The role of diet in managing menopausal symptoms: A narrative review. Review 2023 Mixed 72
St. John's Wort: clinical status in psychiatry. Other 2001 Mixed 67
Effect of St John's wort on severity, frequency, and duration of hot flashes ... RCT 2010 Supports 62
Effects of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) on hot flashes and quality ... RCT 2009 Mixed 57
Black cohosh with or without St. John's wort for symptom-specific climacteric... RCT 2007 Supports 52
Contemporary alternatives to plant estrogens for menopause. Review 2006 Supports 47
Botanical and dietary supplements for mood and anxiety in menopausal women. Review 2007 Supports 42
Hypericum perforatum L. preparations for menopause: a meta-analysis of effica... Meta-analysis 2014 Supports 37
Botanical and dietary supplements for menopausal symptoms: what works, what d... Review 2005 Supports 32
Complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of depressive disord... Review 2010 Mixed 27
Herbal product use and menopause symptom relief in primary care patients: a M... Other 2003 Mixed 22
Botanical dietary supplement use in peri- and postmenopausal women. Other 2003 Neutral 17

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Medical Disclaimer: Noyemi provides information from published research for educational purposes only. This content is not medical advice and does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement regimen, especially if you take medications or have existing health conditions.