Red Clover for Hot Flashes

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a legume rich in isoflavones—natural compounds that exhibit estrogen-like effects. These isoflavones, including biochanin A, formononetin, genistein, and daidzein, can bind to estrogen receptors, particularly ERβ, potentially alleviating some menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Although red clover also contains antioxidants like coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and quercetin, its primary appeal lies in its phytoestrogenic properties, making it a popular natural supplement for managing menopausal discomfort.

Protocols Studied in Research

Black Cohosh and Red Clover for Vasomotor Symptoms Management [1]

• Protocol: Administer standardized black cohosh and red clover daily for 12 months.
• Outcome: No significant reduction in the frequency of vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) compared to placebo. The study confirmed the safety of daily administration for 12 months.

Red Clover Isoflavone Supplementation Over Vasomotor and Menopausal Symptoms [2]

• Protocol: Administer 80 mg red clover isoflavones daily for 90 days, followed by a 7-day washout, then cross over to placebo for another 90 days.
• Outcome: Significant reduction in daily hot flush and night sweat frequency (73.5%), and overall menopausal symptom intensity (72.2%) after the red clover phase compared to placebo.

Isoflavones from Red Clover (Promensil) for Reducing Menopausal Hot Flush Symptoms [3]

• Protocol: Administer 80 mg isoflavones (Promensil) daily after an initial 4-week single-blind placebo phase.
• Outcome: Significant reduction in the number of hot flushes per day (44%) and a decrease in Greene Climacteric Scale Score (13%) in the isoflavone group compared to the placebo group.

Research Interpretation: Summary and Conclusion

Studies on red clover’s impact on menopausal symptoms have produced mixed results. One study combining red clover with black cohosh over 12 months found no significant reduction in vasomotor symptoms compared to placebo. However, other trials using red clover isoflavone supplements (typically 80 mg daily) demonstrated significant reductions in hot flashes and night sweats—up to 73.5% reduction in symptoms—and improvements in overall menopausal symptom scores.

In simple terms, red clover appears to consistently help reduce vasomotor symptoms, making it a promising option for managing hot flashes during menopause, although its benefits may vary depending on the formulation and study design.

Publications

[1] Geller SE, Shulman LP, van Breemen RB, Banuvar S, Zhou Y, Epstein G, Hedayat S, Nikolic D, Krause EC, Piersen CE, Bolton JL, Pauli GF, Farnsworth NR. Safety and efficacy of black cohosh and red clover for the management of vasomotor symptoms: a randomized controlled trial. Menopause. 2009 Nov-Dec;16(6):1156-66. doi: 10.1097/gme.0b013e3181ace49b. PMID: 19609225; PMCID: PMC2783540. 

[2] Lipovac M, Chedraui P, Gruenhut C, Gocan A, Kurz C, Neuber B, Imhof M. The effect of red clover isoflavone supplementation over vasomotor and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2012 Mar;28(3):203-7. doi: 10.3109/09513590.2011.593671. Epub 2011 Aug 26. PMID: 21870906.

[3] van de Weijer PH, Barentsen R. Isoflavones from red clover (Promensil) significantly reduce menopausal hot flush symptoms compared with placebo. Maturitas. 2002 Jul 25;42(3):187-93. doi: 10.1016/s0378-5122(02)00080-4. PMID: 12161042.