Is Milk Thistle Good for Menopause?

"Does milk thistle benefit menopausal women?" is a common question among women facing challenges during menopause. Currently, milk thistle has been discovered to alleviate menopausal symptoms potentially. Moreover, being a natural remedy, it's widely trusted and used by many women. However, only some know the most effective way to use milk thistle. This article will help you understand the benefits of milk thistle for menopause and how to use it effectively.

What are the Symptoms of Menopause?

Menopause is the final stage of the menstrual cycle. It typically begins around age 47 and lasts 5-8 years [1]. This is a normal stage in every woman's life; however, severe symptoms can affect quality of life.

During menopause, women often experience symptoms such as:

• Hot flashes
• Vaginal dryness
• Night sweats: Sudden sensation of heat spreading throughout the body, often accompanied by sweating, rapid heartbeat, and flushing.
• Symptoms of diabetes (genitourinary syndrome of menopause)
• Sleep disturbances
• Emotional disturbances, rapid mood swings, irritability
• Sexual dysfunction issues such as decreased libido.

Is Milk Thistle Good for Menopause?

Milk thistle can help alleviate symptoms in women during menopause.

Due to its Silymarin content, it can help mildly reduce symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, etc. You may already know that Silymarin has many health benefits, especially in protecting and supporting liver function.

A study has shown that Milk thistle (also known as Silybum marianum) significantly reduces the frequency and severity of hot flashes in menopausal women. Eighty women participated in the study and were randomly divided into two groups: one using Milk thistle and one using a placebo. The experiment results showed that the Milk thistle group significantly reduced the frequency and severity of hot flashes compared to the placebo group [2].

Furthermore, this group's Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) and Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS) also significantly decreased. The GCS is a tool for assessing menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and sleep disturbances. The HFRDIS measures the daily impact of hot flashes on life.

How Does Milk Thistle Benefits for Menopause in Women?

Milk Thistle is a herbal remedy that has been used in traditional medicine. Nowadays, it is also applied to support the treatment of various diseases and alleviate symptoms of menopause in women.

• Anti-inflammatory effects: Milk Thistle can reduce inflammation caused by menopause in women [3]. Silymarin in Milk Thistle can reduce the level of MDA, an index for oxidative stress, and enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, it can improve memory and learning ability and reduce brain and liver damage due to estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women.
• Liver health protection: The herb can support liver function and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. As women enter menopause, their hormone production decreases significantly, causing increased liver activity. Thus, a healthier liver helps balance hormones better, potentially reducing menopausal symptoms [3], [4].
• Support for sleep and mood: Studies have shown that using functional nutritional ingredients (including β-glucan from yeast, prebiotics, minerals, and Silymarin) can improve sleep, mood, and quality of life in young individuals after 90 days of use [5].
• Immune system enhancement: Silymarin in Milk Thistle is a potent antioxidant and helps strengthen the immune system [6].

How Should Women Use Milk Thistle for Menopause?

Regarding dosage, Silymarin is considered safe when taken from 240-900 mg/day. At this dosage range, adverse effects are less likely [7]. However, using higher dosages, exceeding 1500 mg/day, may pose risks of laxative effects and increased bile flow and secretion [7]. Some common side effects of Milk Thistle include bloating, nausea, indigestion, and diarrhea.

Milk Thistle is available on the market in various forms, such as powder, capsules, tea, tincture, and topical cream. Let's briefly explore each form like this:

• Powder: With powdered form, you can add it to Milk, smoothies, juices, and fruits or incorporate it into dishes for consumption. The powdered form allows you to adjust the dosage as desired. You can also enhance flavors and stimulate taste when using Milk Thistle.
• Capsules: This is also considered Milk Thistle's most popular and convenient form. Capsules are manufactured with specific dosages, allowing for quick and easy consumption.
• Tea: Steep Milk Thistle tea bags or dried Milk Thistle in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. You can enjoy it hot or cold as desired.
• Tincture: With Milk Thistle tincture, you can consume it directly or dilute it withwater to reduce its flavor.
• Topical Cream: Use topical cream to support skin issues such as dermatitis and eczema. However, test it on a small skin area first to observe reactions before applying it to a larger area.

Menopause is a stage that every woman must go through, so always keep your mood comfortable, as it is also a valuable way to improve your quality of life.

Other Herbs for Menopause Relief

Apart from Milk Thistle, other herbal remedies help alleviate menopausal symptoms in women that you can use:

• Black Cohosh: Often studied for supporting night sweats, hot flashes, and mood regulation. It is also used to improve sleep.
• Red Clover: Rich in isoflavones, it helps reduce menopausal symptoms caused by estrogen deficiency, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and osteoporosis.
• Dong Quai: Long used to improve symptoms related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause.
• Spearmint: Known for its antioxidant properties, spearmint may help balance hormones and alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings during menopause. It is also soothing and can aid digestion.

Conclusion

Milk Thistle is a potential method to alleviate menopausal symptoms mildly. However, please remember that Milk Thistle is not a medication and cannot replace prescribed treatments. Each person may have different reactions when using Milk Thistle. Therefore, if your body cannot adapt to Milk Thistle and has unwanted side effects, please consult a doctor immediately.