Random Control Trial Shows Potential Hot Flash Reduction Benefits of Milk Thistle in Menopausal Women

One of the most common physical complaints that I have been seeing recently is an increase in hot flashes. Many women have tried just about everything that they can think of and are exhausted from lack of sleep. The most commonly offered therapy is hormone replacement therapy. However, more women are seeking something natural or alternative to help ease the discomforts of menopause. 

Menopause is the cessation of the menstrual cycle and a completely normal part of a woman’s life. In fact, many women report that their lives – especially their sex lives – got better after menopause. 

A recent study published in the journal of Phytotherapy Research indicated that 400mg daily of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum (L.)) extract for 12 weeks led to the improvement in frequency and duration of hot flashes. 

Eighty menopausal women participated in a random, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. The women who were assigned to the milk thistle group experienced a statistically significant reduction in the frequency of hot flashes from 4.3 per day to 1.3 per day after 12 weeks. In addition, severity decreased by 3.63 points.  The women reported that they saw reduction in frequency and severity at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks with the greatest reduction at the 12-week point. 

Saberi, Z., Gorji, N., Memariani, Z., Moeini, R., Shirafkan, H., & Amiri, M. Evaluation of the effect of Silybum marianum extract on menopausal symptoms: A randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial. Phytotherapy Research. 

The Magnificent Menopausal Roller Coaster Ride

As women, our hormones are all over the place. At any given moment in the month we can experience highs or lows, migraines, irritability, joy, confidence, etc. 

When menopause hits, we get to add in hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, weight gain, fatigue, and sometimes anxiety and depression. Who wouldn’t want to go through this?! Actually, there are so many more benefits to menopause than there are negativities. The best one is that the period stop! Good-bye and good riddance! No more bleeding every month!

But what happens when the symptoms don’t abate? As our cycles cease, the ovaries no longer produce our sex hormones and the adrenals take over. The adrenals are primarily responsible for the production of cortisol, our stress hormone. When we are overly stressed out, cortisol is produced and the sex hormones are left behind. As those levels continue to drop, a deficiency occurs and symptoms persist or worsen. 

As women, our hormones are all over the place. At any given moment in the month we can experience highs or lows, migraines, irritability, joy, confidence, etc. 

How Do You Get Back to Feeling Like Yourself?