Hi Alison, I am on the only supplement that has ever helped me with hot flushes and night sweats. I have posted about it before so I'm just going to cut and paste what I previously said:
I had been on HRT for 6 years and my GP wasn't keen on me continuing it without seeing a Specialist which was difficult because of Lockdown. A Menopause Consultant had previously responded to my query about alternative therapies by saying Femarelle was the only supplement that had studies backing it so I decided to give it a go. I have now been taking it since September when I stopped my HRT. For anyone interested in the science of it - the one I take ("Femarelle Recharge") contains DT56a which is fermented soy extract, ground flaxseed and vit b6. I did promise Hurdity ages ago to let you know how I get on with it so here goes:
I do think it is a fairly good alternative to HRT and will be continuing to use it. But it does not 100% eliminate hot flushes. On Femarelle, I get an average of 1-2 hot flushes per day. I keep a note in my diary. When I say 1-2 per day, I mean that is how it averages out. So on some days I might get no flushes whatsoever and on other stressful days, I might get 3-4. But what is remarkable is that I have stopped having night sweats/flushes altogether. So I get a better night of sleep. Another thing I have noticed is that it seems to help with vaginal dryness and dry eyes. My mood is more even than it was on HRT. It's a SERM (selective oestrogen reuptake modulator) which means people who have had breast cancer can have it. Oh and it helps with bone density which for me is a big concern.
I'm not saying it's a miracle cure. The negatives points are that it is expensive. It's annoying to have to remember to take two tablets per day, one morning and one night. It doesn't 100% eliminate hot flushes. I have to order mine online which is irritating. So it's by no means perfect and some people will simply be priced out of buying it. I'm sure it won't work for everyone.
So my advice would be stick with HRT if you find a kind that totally suits you and you can get your prescriptions without having to argue with your GP about it. However, If HRT is contraindicated for you or doesn't suit you then I think that Femarelle is a worthwhile alternative to consider trying. If you ever do decide to give it a go - you really do have to wait for up to 12 weeks before you know where you are with it. I almost gave up on it when quite suddenly - around the 10th or 11th week of taking it, my symptoms improved. So you need to be patient.
