A study has revealed that certain supplements marketed to ease menopause symptoms omit key nutrients and feature a “huge variation” in vitamin and mineral doses which could trigger side-effects if consumed long-term.
Researchers said this has happened amid a growing “menopause gold rush” within the supplement industry.
They also warned that social media influencers endorsing products without scientific evidence to support their claims risk contributing to online misinformation.
Furthermore, experts stated that many active ingredients in menopause supplements are equally present in herbal remedies and standard multivitamins, which are usually cheaper.
Professor Joyce Harper, of the UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health, said: “Menopause can cause symptoms that affect daily life.
“The menopause supplement market is growing rapidly, despite limited scientific evidence that many of these products improve menopause symptoms.
“The menopause gold rush is growing as companies realise that mid-life women are an important consumer market for menopause products such as supplements.
“Some social media influencers promote these products as effective solutions, despite many claims not being supported by scientific evidence.
“This can contribute to the spread of misinformation and help drive a rapidly growing menopause supplement market, leading some women to spend substantial amounts of money on supplements in the hope of improving their symptoms and overall wellbeing.
“There is currently limited research available to substantiate the efficacy of many menopause-specific supplements.”
For the study, led by University College London (UCL), researchers examined the cost, doses and ingredients in menopause supplements across nine major retailers and online sellers.
Some 201 different products were available to buy.
Half of those tested did not contain vitamin D, which helps protect bone health, and only 23.9% contained calcium.
The analysis also found no single common ingredient.
Most (80%) contained herbs, vitamins (77%) or phytooestrogens (74%), plant compounds that have a chemical structure similar to human oestrogen.
Vitamin B6 was the most common vitamin, while clover and sage were the most common herbs.
According to the study, the prices of supplements also ranged widely, from £1.50 to £95.
Researchers also suggest some ingredients can have “adverse effects” over time.
Poppy Sullivan, also of UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health and Queen Mary University of London, said: “Menopause supplements contain a wide variety of active and inactive ingredients, the majority of which are not specifically recommended by any major menopause societies.
“The huge variation in vitamin and mineral doses is also a cause for concern. Some nutrients can have adverse effects when consumed in excess over time.
“For example, excessive vitamin D intake can theoretically lead to high calcium levels, which could cause adverse effects such as vomiting and confusion.
“Furthermore, certain botanical ingredients in some menopause supplements may also have risks. Black cohosh, in particular, is known to carry a potential risk of liver toxicity.”
Dr Anne-Marie Boylan of the University of Oxford said the findings, published in the journal Climacteric, highlight the importance of women having access to evidence-based information.
“The British Menopause Society emphasises the importance of a healthy diet and regular physical activity,” she added.
“For some women, ensuring a balanced diet may provide many of the vitamins and minerals found in menopause supplements.
“Many ingredients in menopause supplements are also available in general multivitamins or herbal products not branded for menopause, which are often cheaper alternatives.
“For symptoms affecting quality of life, the best option remains medical advice, though some women hesitate for fear of feeling dismissed by healthcare professionals.”
