Do any supplements actually help?

[teentantrums]

I can't get HRT but have problems with brain fog, low mood, aches and pains. Has anyone had any improvement with otc supplements or are they all scams?

It's hard to say but as a person who takes both HRT and eats turmeric almost daily naturally because I am Asian, I have no aches and pains or brain fog. I am nearly 53.
I note there are a lot of turmeric supplements being peddled! Not sure if its the HRT or the turmeric that helps.

I really rate jen Gunter on this subject. She gives clear well evidenced information and has a good eye for scams.

https://vajenda.substack.com/p/gunters-guide-to-supplements

And here an explainerL https://vajenda.substack.com/p/making-sense-of-supplements

That's a good substack. I just searched it and note she doesnt recommend turmeric as a supplement! It's fine as a food if you are already eating it like me.

I take a normal Boots multivitamin with Vitamin D. That's all I take.

I really like her work. She explains how to read medical citations and the vlaue of papers and what they actually say as opposed to what scammers (medical profesionals included sometimes) claim they say.

I think she has another recent article where she talks about liver injury from some HRT supplements promoted on social media, but she is based in Canada and focuses on the US mainly, where I think the safety restirctions around supplements are a bit more problematic.

Basically the principle for me is if it seems to good to be true (ie claims to solve everything/multiple things, is a magic bullet), then it likely is too good to be true. I meant that is true of HRT too in fact - helps some people with some things.

I agree about turmeric - good in food, prob more problematic taken as a supplement in significant doses and mixed with other things, possibly with dodgy origins (ie not food grade or sourced ethically).

Found it: https://vajenda.substack.com/p/supplements-are-a-rising-cause-of

@teentantrums I take Menopace. It helps my symptoms but hasn't eradicated them but I don't expect it to.

I think it's better to trial some. I felt better taking Menopace after a month of taking them. I did stop for 2 weeks as I forgot to take them on holiday. I did notice a difference.

Selaura. Expensive but enables me to continue with my high powered job.

I definitely have found that black cohosh and agnus castus make my hormonal rage a lot more diminished.

I ran out a couple of months ago and spent two out of four weeks an emotional wreck- depressed, anxious, tired, angry, you name it. I've since bought a big supply of both so I don't run out again!

I am afraid upping my exercise and walking upwards of 15 k steps a day has really helped with mood. It's a pious and boring solution, but it works.

I stopped HRT over 6 months ago, my hot flushes were awful after I stopped.

I've been taking the Feel Menopause supplement and the hot flushes have stopped and I feel much better.

They are pricey but worth it

I find Menopace night very good, I notice if I forget to re purchase it.

Hi, I take a supplement called Femal. The web address is www.femal.co.uk.
I am unable to take a lot of supplements and no HRT for the menopause as was diagnosed with estrogen receptive positive breast cancer and having total abdominal hysterectomy last year, plunged straight into menopause and taking tamoxifen which also has menopause side effects. This supplement is recommended by Professor Nick Panay Queen who works at the following:-
Charlotte's & Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals
Imperial College London
President Elect, International Menopause
Society Director, International Centre for Hormone Health
He has been recommending this to women for over 20 years. He is a world renowned consultant gynaecologist who specialises in the menopause. Have a look. I do think this supplement helps me. Have a google and do your own research 🧐

There was discussion on this on Radio 4 Woman's Hour this week - check the BBC website for the day.

Might be something there to help you.

Does 'can't get hrt' mean it's contraindicated for you?

I don't know much about J Gunter but if she's in the US their use of and views on HRT differ quite a bit from the UK.

@francy99 That's interesting. Is there any link to his recommendation?

Anything on their website or his own research?
As far as I know, from what's online, he's not doing NHS work any more.

I find Menopace to be very effective. I was struggling with symptoms such as brain fog, terrible anxiety, panic attacks, vertigo. O started raking it I'm the early summer and all my symptoms have massively reduced. I feel so much better.

My main problem is the joint aches and pains, followed closely by brain fog. I am unable to take HRT so have been trying collagen. It's not brilliant but has taken the edge off the aches.

I already do that but I am still a grumpy old sod! 😂

Does 'can't get hrt' mean it's contraindicated for you?
No. I live in a country where it's very hard and expensive to get and I'm fed up of trying.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I think I'll give Menopace a go.

This is the advice from the British Menopause Society. They are the only reputable source of information regarding this kind of thing because their advice is based on science.

https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/04-BMS-ConsensusStatement-Non-hormonal-based-treatments-SEPT2024-A.pdf

Note that they say in this document that the placebo effect of herbal products can be 50%.

They (and any specialist menopause consultants) will never name or recommend an alternative product by a trade name in writing or in an advert. It could show bias or personal interest in a company. (Obviously if they have any opinions on a product they may suggest something verbally in a face to face consultation.)

@teentantrums Your other option if you come back to the UK is to see a private specialist and get 12 months' supply.