Fenugreek Seeds for Perimenopausal Hot Flashes

A 2017 study showed that 600mg of Fenugreek seed extract daily significantly improved vasomotor, psychosocial and sexual symptoms of menopause at 12 weeks compared to placebo. Another study published in 2020 also showed significant improvement in menopausal symptoms with fenugreek extract vs placebo. Fenugreek may also improve glycemic control. Fenugreek is not safe to use during pregnancy. Fenugreek can cause stomach discomfort among other side effects.

Khanna A, John F, Das S, Thomas J, Rao J, Maliakel B, Im K. Efficacy of a novel extract of fenugreek seeds in alleviating vasomotor symptoms and depression in perimenopausal women: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. J Food Biochem. 2020 Dec;44(12):e13507. doi: 10.1111/jfbc.13507. Epub 2020 Oct 6. PMID: 33025616.

Steels E, Steele ML, Harold M, Coulson S. Efficacy of a Proprietary Trigonella foenum-graecum L. De-Husked Seed Extract in Reducing Menopausal Symptoms in Otherwise Healthy Women: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Phytother Res. 2017 Sep;31(9):1316-1322. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5856. Epub 2017 Jul 14. PMID: 28707431.

Kim J, Noh W, Kim A, Choi Y, Kim YS. The Effect of Fenugreek in Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Sep 12;24(18):13999. doi: 10.3390/ijms241813999. PMID: 37762302; PMCID: PMC10531284.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2020). Fenugreek. NCCIH. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/fenugreek