Menopause Treatment An Overview of Estroven An Herbal Dietary Supplement for Symptoms of Menopause By 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 Abby Norman Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD on May 25, 2020 facebook twitter linkedin instagram Anita Sadaty, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Shore University Hospital and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Review Board Anita Sadaty, MD on May 25, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Uses Dosage Precautions Possible Side Effects Estroven is the brand name of several herbal dietary supplements advertised to ease some of the most frequently experienced symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and insomnia. It first appeared on the market in 1997. There are several different products available depending on the symptoms that need to be treated. The main ingredients in all Estroven products are black cohosh root, a plant found in North America, and soy isoflavones, a phytoestrogen derived from soybeans (soy protein). Estroven products do not contain synthetic or human/animal-derived hormones. Verywell / Gary Ferster Depending on the symptoms of menopause they have been formulated to treat, some Estroven supplements have additional ingredients including: Melatonin Magnolia bark Ginkgo biloba Cissus quadrangularis Rhapontic rhubarb Caffeine The symptoms (and intensity of symptoms) of menopause can vary. The various formulations of Estroven products are advertised as providing relief for some of the possible symptoms of menopause including insomnia, hot flashes, and stress. However, there is only limited research about the safety and effectiveness of products like Estroven for menopause treatment. Uses Estroven products are advertised as being designed for people experiencing symptoms related to menopause. When a person experiences their last menstrual period, usually sometime in one's 40s or 50s, they enter into a transitionary period of life called menopause. The experience is gradual and generally occurs over the course of several years. During this time a person may experience symptoms and changes to their body that can range in severity and duration. Most people enter into menopause naturally as a result of decreasing hormones as they age, but they may begin the process early (premature menopause) due to a medical condition, a medication, or surgery to remove the ovaries. Menopause may also be induced if the ovaries are damaged, such as during chemotherapy. Menopause is sometimes treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). People who are experiencing symptoms commonly associated with menopause may also benefit from dietary supplements such as Estroven. However, it's important to know that more research is needed to determine if herbal supplements such as the ingredients in Estroven are safe and effective for treating menopause. Menopausal Symptoms Estroven products may help provide relief from: Hot flashes Insomnia Night sweats Vaginal dryness Mood changes and stress Low energy Weight changes Dosage Estroven is an herbal dietary supplement that comes in the form of a capsule. The supplement can be taken daily with or without food, though taking it with food will help avoid mild stomach upset that may occur when taking supplements. Estroven recommends its products be taken for a minimum of 60 days. Each individual product should only be taken in the dose indicated. Do not take more of the supplement than is directed by the product's packaging or a doctor. 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 People experiencing symptoms of menopause should talk to their doctor before starting Estroven or any other herbal or dietary supplement. Estroven products should not be taken if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are trying to become pregnant. Children should not be given Estroven. Possible Side Effects Estroven reports its products are generally safe and well-tolerated by most people who take them, but it's important to note that the safety and potential for longterm side effects when using black cohosh, a main component of Estroven products, have not been adequately studied. Additionally, a 2012 Cochrane review of one of the supplement's main ingredients, black cohosh, revealed there is insufficient evidence to support it is an effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. Taking products that contain black cohosh can lead to a number of symptoms. While some may be relatively mild, in rare cases, people taking commercial products containing black cohosh have experienced symptoms related to liver damage—though the exact nature of the relationship remains unclear. The U.S. Pharmacopeia recommends that people with diseases or conditions affecting the liver ask their doctor before taking any supplements that have black cohosh in them. Black Cohosh Side Effects When taking black cohosh you may experience: Stomach upset Rash Slow heart rate Headaches Dizziness or feeling light-headed Joint pain It's unclear if back cohosh has serious interactions with other medications. If you are taking any prescription medications or receiving treatment for a disease, such as chemotherapy for cancer, you should tell your doctor before taking a product with black cohosh in it or any other herbal supplement. A Word From Verywell If you are experiencing some of the common symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes or insomnia, it's possible herbal dietary supplements such as Estroven may help ease some of your symptoms. However, you should know that more research is needed to determine if the supplement is safe and effective, and side effects are possible. While you don't need a prescription, and Estroven products can be purchased over the counter at most major retailers, pharmacies, and online, you should still talk to your doctor before starting Estroven or any other herbal or dietary supplement. You should not take Estroven if you are pregnant, nursing, or are trying to get pregnant. Estroven does not contain any hormones and is not known to interact with any medications, but you should still tell your doctor if you are taking Estroven products. 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 Article 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 Leach MJ, Moore V. Black cohosh (Cimicifuga spp.) for menopausal symptoms. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2012;9:CD007244. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007244.pub2 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. Updated May 2020. Additional Reading Cancer Research UK. Black cohosh. Menopause Relief. Estroven. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Menopause and hormones: Common questions.