Is Panax ginseng effective for menopausal symptoms?

    Last Updated: April 23, 2025

    The effectiveness of Panax ginseng for menopausal symptoms is inconclusive; some studies have shown improvements in sexual arousal and well-being, whereas others found no significant reduction in hot-flash frequency. Additionally, physiological parameters related to hormone levels were not affected by supplemental ginseng, which indicates that any benefits may not be due to hormone-like mechanisms.

    Only a limited number of clinical studies (human studies) have investigated the effect of Panax ginseng on menopausal symptoms, and the overall evidence remains inconclusive. While some studies found that supplementation with Korean red ginseng in menopausal women improved sexual arousal, overall health, and menopausal symptoms compared to a placebo, others failed to observe a significant reduction in hot flash frequency, although they found significant improvements in well-being and depression.[1]

    It’s worth highlighting that one of these studies noted that physiological parameters such as follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels, endometrial thickness, maturation index, and vaginal pH were not affected by supplementation with ginseng. This suggests that any potential beneficial effects of Panax ginseng on menopause are unlikely to be mediated by hormone-replacement-like mechanisms.[2] However, in vitro studies have reported that several ginsenosides are agonists (activators) of estrogen receptors.[3] Further research is required to clarify this mechanism of action.

    Is <em>Panax ginseng</em> effective for menopausal symptoms? - Examine