Herbs And Women's Health

Lots of attention is given to hormone replacement and oral contraceptive pills to treat women's symptoms. And for good reason — they often work well to manage. But are there other options?  

Well, I'm glad you asked. 

Chaste tree (Vitex)

Great for cyclic breast tenderness, irregular menses, PMS, PMDD, and PCOS. It works by indirectly supporting hormones in a shift from estrogen to progesterone, thereby addressing the many symptoms associated with estrogen dominance. 


Ooi SL, Watts S, McClean R, Pak SC. Vitex Agnus-Castus for the Treatment of Cyclic Mastalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J. Women's Health (Larchmt). 2020;29(2):262-278. doi:10.1089/jwh.2019.7770

Rafieian-Kopaei M, Movahedi M. Systematic Review of Premenstrual, Postmenstrual and Infertility Disorders of Vitex Agnus Castus. Electron Physician. 2017;9(1):3685-3689. Published 2017 Jan 25. doi:10.19082/3685

Arentz, S., Abbott, J. A., Smith, C. A., & Bensoussan, A. (2014). Herbal medicine for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and associated oligo/amenorrhoea and hyperandrogenism; a review of the laboratory evidence for effects with corroborative clinical findings. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 14, 511. http://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-511


Black cohosh

Great for peri-menopause and menopause symptoms (including hot flashes/night sweats), arthritis, PCOS and uterine fibroids. There are well over 100 published scientific papers and presentations on the efficacy and safety of standardized black cohosh extract.

Shahnazi M, Nahaee J, Moammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Bayatipayan S.  Effects of black cohosh on vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women: A randomized clinical trial.  J Caring Sciences 2013;2(2):105-113

Xi S, Liske E, Wang S, et al. Effect of isopropanolic Cimicifuga racemosa extract on uterine fibroids in comparison with tibolone among patients of a recent randomized, double blind, parallel-controlled study in Chinese women with menopausal symptoms. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine; 2014 (2014), Article ID 717686, 7 pages.


St. John's wort

Great for mild to moderate depression, anxiety, PMS and menopause. Works well in post-menopausal depression, especially when combined with black cohosh. Some studies show it to be as effective as SSRIs to treat depression, with less side effects. 

Chung DJ, Kim HY, Park KH, et al. Black cohosh and St. John's wort (GYNO-Plus) for climacteric symptoms. Yonsei Med J. 2007;48(2):289-294. doi:10.3349/ymj.2007.48.2.289

van Gurp G, Meterissian GB, Haiek LN, McCusker J, Bellavance F. St John's wort or sertraline? Randomized controlled trial in primary care. Can Fam Physician. 2002;48:905-912.

Abdali K, Khajehei M, Tabatabaee R.  Effect of St. John’s wort on severity, frequency, and duration of hot flashes in premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.  Menopause 2010;17(2): 326-331.

Canning S, Waterman M, Orsi N, Ayres J, Simpson N, Dye L. The efficacy of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. CNS Drugs. 2010;24(3):207-225. doi:10.2165/11530120-000000000-00000


Ginger

Works well to treat nausea, painful menses, heavy menses, and hormonal migraines. The key to treating painful and or heavy menses is to start the ginger at last 1 day before menses begins and to continue for 2-3 days. 

Kashefi F, Khajehei M, Alavinia, et al.  Effect of ginger on heavy menstrual bleeding: a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.  Phytotherapy Research 2015;29:114-119.

Ozgoli G, Goli M, Moattar F.  Comparison of effects of ginger, mefenamic acid, and ibuprofen on pain in women with primary dysmenorrhea.  J Alternative and Complementary Med 2009; 15(2):129-132.

Daily J, Zhang X, Kim S, Park S.  Efficacy of ginger for alleviating the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review  and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.  Pain Medicine 2015;16:2243-2255.

Maghbooli M, Golipour F, Esfandabadi A, Yousefi M. Comparison between the efficacy of ginger and sumatriptan in the ablative treatment of the common migraine.  Phytotherapy Res 2014;28:412-415


Fenugreek

Studies show improvement in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, menopausal symptoms and painful menses. It may also improve lactation in breast feeding mothers — a case report summarized the anecdotal use of fenugreek in at least 1,200 women who reported an increase in milk supply within 24 to 72 hours.

Younesy S, Amiraliakbari S, Esmaeili S, Alavimajd H, Nouraei S. Effects of fenugreek seed on the severity and systemic symptoms of dysmenorrhea. J ReprodInfertil. January 2014;15(1):41-48

Huggins KE. Available at: http://www. breastfeedingonline.com/fenuhugg.shtml. Accessed December 2, 2008

Swafford S, Berens P. Effect of fenugreek on breast milk volume. Abstract presented at: 5th International Meeting of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine; September 11-13, 2000, Tucson, Arizona. 

Gupta A, Gupta R, Lal B.  Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds on glycemic control and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a double blind placebo controlled study.  J Assoc Physicians India 2001; 49: 1057-1061.

Hannan JM, Ali L, Rokeya B, et al. Soluble dietary fibre fraction of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seed improves glucose homeostasis in animal models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes by delaying carbohydrate digestion and absorption, and enhancing insulin action. Br J Nutr. 2007;97(3):514-521. doi:10.1017/S0007114507657869

Khanna A, John F, Das S, et al. 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;44(12):e13507. doi:10.1111/jfbc.13507


Valerian

Helpful in some cases of insomnia, anxiety and hot flashes. While I love this herb, it smells like wet socks worn by an alley rat - so beware. Note: Some individuals seem to have an opposite response to valerian where they feel stimulated rather than sedated. 

Bent S, Padula A, Moore D, Patterson M, Mehling W. Valerian for sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2006;119(12):1005-1012. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2006.02.026

Mirabi P, Mojab F. The effects of valerian root on hot flashes in menopausal women. Iran J Pharm Res. 2013;12(1):217-222


Maca

One of my favorites because it works well in pre-menopausal, peri and post-menopausal women for many symptoms. Uniquely, it has been shown to improve SSRI-related sexual dysfunction. It's a wonderful adaptogen, so is also helpful to support healthy cortisol/stress levels. 

Brooks N, Wilcox G, Walker K, et al.   Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content.  Menopause 2008;15(6):1157-1162.

Meissner HO, Kapczynski W, Mscisz A, Lutomski J. Use of gelatinized maca (lepidium peruvianum) in early postmenopausal women. Int J Biomed Sci. 2005;1(1):33-45.

Shin B, Soo Lee M, Jin Yang E, Lim H, Ernst E.  Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review.  BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2010;10:44

Do Herbs Really Work? 

Yes.

And though we don't have nearly enough research to back them up, the studies are growing each year. 

Herbs are powerful medicine.

Because they are not made in a laboratory, they contain a multitude of constituents (not just one, as with pharmaceuticals), which act in a synergistic manner.

In this way, herbs can heal SO.MANY.DIFFERENT imbalances all at the same time.

When my patients tell me "this supplement didn't work" they were usually using a low quality supplement, and weren't using it for long enough to reach symptom improvement (many of these herbs require 2-3 months to gain traction). Quality really matters with botanicals. There are lots of bad eggs out there in the supplement world - companies that do not have your best interest at heart. 

Check with a naturopathic doctor to learn about best dosing, sourcing, medication interactions, brands, and length of time needed to expect results.

💕
Dr. Laura Neville

Discover what hormone imbalances you are dealing with and how holistic medicine can solve them.