Vitamin E for hot flushes - great, but causes itchy red hives!

[PunishmentRoundupWithJoon]

I started taking vitamin E as it supposedly helped with hot flushes. It DID seem to help and I was really pleased but have now started to get hot itchy hives all over my neck and face.

Looking online, it seems that vitamin E can cause this, but it's not like I've overdosed or anything; have been taking 2 capsules a day,

It's SO annoying! Finally find something that helps with the flushes and then this! Have had to take antihistamines the past few days. And stop the vitamin E too, of course.

Does anyone have any other suggestions of what helps the hot flushes? Not HRT as I can't take that.

Thank you!

I found timed release melatonin worked for me - 3 mg dose. Started taking it to help with the 3am awakenings but found that it stopped the hot flushes.

Taking it a once or twice of a week turned out to be enough to stop the hot flushes.

I get mine from Biovea online.

Is it possible it was the type of Vitamin E you were taking?

Natural d-Alpha-Tocopherol
is not the synthetic kind.

What dose are the vitamin e capsules? I was taking 400iu every day and started getting itchy. I now take 400iu twice a week and the itching isn't a problem.

As an alternative have you tried red clover extract?

I'm on hrt now but red clover really helped before.

There is no evidence that Vit E helps hot flushes.

The BMS has produced research on alternatives to HRT and the vast majority of them do not help. There are a couple of herbs that have some effect for some women. https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/04-BMS-ConsensusStatement-Non-hormonal-based-treatments-for-menopausal-symptoms-NOV2025-C.pdf

They say the placebo effect can be up to 50% in anything that seems to help.

You also need to take care with Vit E as there is some evidence that as a supplement it can be harmful for CVD.

Key Findings on Vitamin E and CVD:

• Preventive Potential: As a fat-soluble antioxidant, Vitamin E helps protect against damage from free radicals, which is crucial in reducing atherosclerosis (plaque build-up in arteries).
• Dietary vs. Supplements: Consuming natural vitamin E through food (e.g., nuts, seeds, vegetable oils) is generally considered safe and beneficial. Conversely, high-dose synthetic supplements have not shown consistent, significant benefits in large clinical trials.
• Risks of High Dosage: Supplements with over 400 IU/day are associated with a higher risk of total mortality.
• Specific CVD Risks:
• Stroke: While Vitamin E may reduce ischemic stroke risk, it is associated with a 22% increase in hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke risk.
• Heart Failure: Studies like the HOPE trial demonstrated a higher incidence of heart failure in patients with pre-existing vascular disease or diabetes.

@PunishmentRoundupWithJoon If you can't use HRT because you have had breast cancer or heart disease, your GP should refer you to a specialist for advice because some of the alternatives are not suitable either.

What is the reason you can' t use HRT?

@SabrinaThwaite - I have been taking melatonin for years. Maybe my flushes would be worse without it - who knows? I used to get mine from Pipingrock but there's been a change of some kind and now they are not shipping to the UK, which is very frustrating.

@ScrollingLeaves - I will check, thanks.

@Noshadelamp - that's an idea, reduce the dosage. Yes, 400 - one a day. Will look into red clover, thanks.