The Effect of Evening Primrose Oil on Menopausal Symptoms Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Abstract
Introduction: Many women avoid hormone therapy due to the health risks, deciding to pursue herbal alternatives. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness of evening primrose oil (EPO) in managing menopausal symptoms.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted until February 7,2024, without any limitations on language or time, using electronic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library to collect randomized clinical trials. The methodological quality of the included trials was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (ROB2) tool. The GRADEpro evaluated the quality of the evidence, and the RevMan 5.4 performed the data analysis.
Results: Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this study. The meta-analysis of 450 women revealed, however, that the women in the EPO group experienced a mean decrease of 2.13 in the number of hot flashes per day compared to the control group. Still, it was not statistically significant. Women who received EPO also experienced a significant reduction in the duration of hot flashes compared to those who did not supplement. The EPO group experienced a 0.19 reduction in hot flash intensity, but this reduction was not statistically significant. The evidence grading was moderate to low.
Conclusion: EPO reduces menopausal symptoms, but to understand the effectiveness of this option, we need to conduct further research with rigorous methodological standards so that menopausal…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 450 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Promising Sources of Plant-Derived Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: A Narrative Review
- Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake in patients with chronic kidney disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on cognition: an updated systematic review of randomized clinical trials
- The role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: A narrative review
- Paucity of evidence for a relationship between long-chain omega-3 fatty acid intake and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review
- Omega-3 fatty acid nanocarriers: Characterization and potential applications
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.