Menopause Treatment An Overview of Estroven An Herbal Dietary Supplement for Symptoms of Menopause By Abby Norman Abby Norman LinkedIn Abby Norman is a freelance science writer and medical editor. She is also the author of "Ask Me About My Uterus: A Quest to Make Doctors Believe in Women's Pain (2018)." Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 13, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Anita Sadaty, MD Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Anita Sadaty, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Shore University Hospital and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Uses Dosage Precautions Possible Side Effects Frequently Asked Questions Estroven is the brand name of several herbal dietary supplements. Since 1997, they have been advertised to ease some of the most frequently experienced symptoms of menopause. Two main ingredients are found in all Estroven products. One is black cohosh root, a plant found in North America that contains fukinolic acid. Soy isoflavones derived from soybean plants are the other. They do not contain any other manmade or natural hormones. This article discusses menopause and its symptoms. It explains how Estroven products may help people during menopause, as well as the possible side effects of using them. Verywell / Gary Ferster Some Estroven supplements have additional ingredients, depending on which symptoms of menopause they are meant to treat. These ingredients may include: Melatonin Magnolia bark Ginkgo biloba Cissus quadrangularis Rhapontic rhubarb (ERr 731) Caffeine Yerba mate Green tea The symptoms of menopause and their intensity may vary. Different Estroven formulas are sold in a range of products that claim to treat these symptoms, which may include: Insomnia Hot flashes Night sweats Vaginal dryness Mood changes and stress Low energy Weight changes Uses After you have your last menstrual period, usually sometime in your 40s or 50s, you begin the next part of the reproductive life cycle called menopause. Most people enter into menopause naturally due to estrogen and other hormone levels in the body decreasing with age. They also may experience premature menopause, which causes these changes earlier in life because of a health condition, medication, or surgery. Removal of the ovaries, or the type of damage that can be caused by chemotherapy, also may cause early menopause. It is sometimes treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). People with menopause symptoms may also benefit from herbal supplements such as Estroven. More research is needed to determine if these supplements are safe and effective for treating menopause. Recap Estroven products are meant to ease the symptoms of menopause, which will usually begin in your 40s and 50s. Some of the supplements come with added ingredients, depending on the formula. It's important to remember that there is limited research on the benefits of Estroven and similar products. Dosage Estroven is an herbal dietary supplement that comes in the form of a capsule. It can be taken daily with or without food. However, taking Estroven with food may help to avoid mild stomach upset. Estroven recommends that its products be used for a minimum of 60 days. Each product should only be used in the correct dose. Do not take more of any supplement than is listed on the product's packaging label. Be sure to discuss your dosage level with your healthcare provider. Estroven products do not require a prescription and are available over the counter at most pharmacies and major retailers throughout the United States. The products can also be purchased online. Precautions Although it may seem unlikely among people in their menopause phase, Estroven still recommends that its products should not be taken if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are trying to become pregnant. In addition, children should not be given Estroven. It's important to remember that the health benefits and safety of Estroven remain unproven by research studies, the results of which remain mixed. However, one study looked at 129 people taking the ERr 731 found in some Estroven products. They reported fewer hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms after 12 weeks of taking it. Other research studies have looked at the benefits of black cohosh. A 2021 review that included 35 clinical studies found that the benefits of its use in treating symptoms of menopause outweighed any risks. Possible Side Effects Estroven reports that its products are generally safe and well-tolerated by most people who take them, but little is known about long-term side effects. Most side effects of products containing black cohosh are mild. They include: Stomach upsetRashSlow heart rateHeadachesDizziness or feeling light-headedJoint pain There are reports of rare cases of liver damage in people who take products containing black cohosh. Exactly why that's the case is not known. The U.S. Pharmacopeia recommends that people with diseases or conditions affecting the liver ask their healthcare provider before taking any supplements that have black cohosh in them. It's unclear if back cohosh has serious interactions with other drugs you might take. If you are taking prescription medications or receiving care for a disease, such as chemotherapy for cancer, you should tell your healthcare provider before taking this or any other herbal supplement. Recap If you take Estroven supplements, be sure to use only the amount listed on the product label. Keep in mind that there may be side effects, such as joint pain or heart rate changes. The ingredients in Estroven may not be safe for all people, so be sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider first. Summary Some supplements, including Estroven products, are designed to relieve the symptoms of menopause. They contain black cohosh root and other ingredients, depending on the formula. These supplements may ease symptoms, such as night sweats or mood swings, but the benefits remain unproven. There is not enough research to confirm they are safe or effective. Estroven products, and especially its black cohosh ingredient, also may cause side effects or possible drug interactions. It should not be taken without guidance from a healthcare provider. A Word From Verywell Hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause are common. Supplements like Estroven may help, but be sure that you know what you're taking and if it's safe for you to do so. Frequently Asked Questions Are there other supplements for menopause besides Estroven? Yes. Some products used to treat menopause symptoms include evening primrose oil, red clover, and flax seeds. In most cases, the research is mixed on how effective they are. It's a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider about taking them. Learn More: Supplements That Can Help Manage Menopause Symptoms Can I take Estroven if I'm allergic to soy? Probably not. All Estroven products but one contain soy isoflavones that could provoke a reaction in people with soy allergies or sensitivities. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any Estroven product if you're allergic to soy. Are Estroven and estrogen the same thing? No. Estroven is an over-the-counter nutritional supplement containing herbs that may help relieve common menopause symptoms. Estrogen is a hormone produced by the body. More Menopause Treatments Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Dohou J, Mouret-reynier MA, Kwiatkowski F, et al. A retrospective study on the onset of menopause after chemotherapy: Analysis of data extracted from the Jean Perrin Comprehensive Cancer Center Database concerning 345 young breast cancer patients diagnosed between 1994 and 2012. Oncology. 2017;92(5):255-263. doi:10.1159/000455049 Johnson A, Roberts L, Elkins G. Complementary and alternative medicine for menopause. J Evid Based Integr Med. 2019;24:2515690X19829380. doi:10.1177/2515690X19829380 Shah J, Chandanani S, Reddy J, Kirubamani H, Boruah AM, Jain A, et al. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of rheum rhaponticum root extract (Err 731) for menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal indian women: An interim analysis. J Mid-life Health. 2021;12(2):108. doi: 10.4103/jmh.jmh_86_21 Castelo-Branco C, Gambacciani M, Cano A, Minkin MJ, Rachon D, Ruan X, et al. Review & meta-analysis: isopropanolic black cohosh extract iCR for menopausal symptoms – an update on the evidence. Climacteric. 2021;24(2):109-119. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2020.1820477 Mahady GB, Low dog T, Barrett ML, et al. United States Pharmacopeia review of the black cohosh case reports of hepatotoxicity. Menopause. 2008;15(4 Pt 1):628-38. doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e31816054bf National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine. Black cohosh. Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. Phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of flaxseed for the treatment of hot flashes. Published 2017. Estroven.com. Estroven Complete Multi-Symptom Menopause Relief. Additional Reading Cancer Research UK. Black cohosh. Menopause Relief. Estroven. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Menopause and hormones: Common questions.