Red clover may be a beneficial supplement in menopause when used to reduce hot flashes. A 2021 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that red clover supplementation taken for 3 months resulted in an average of 1.7 fewer hot flashes daily compared to placebo, particularly in postmenopausal women experiencing at least 5 hot flashes daily.[1] However, these effects were not sustained in trials performing a 12-month follow-up, and over half of the trials were at least partially funded by the red clover manufacturer, which could bias these results. Red clover might slightly reduce total cholesterol and raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in postmenopausal women with no other health conditions, but the effects are so small they likely would not influence overall cardiovascular health.[2] Research looking at other menopause-related outcomes like vaginal health, sleep behavior, mood, and bone health have had mixed results and are currently inconclusive.[3]
Preclinical research suggests that red clover may possess antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hypoglycemic (blood-sugar-reducing) properties,[4][5][6] but establishing the clinical relevance of these effects will require further research.