Q. I read a question from a reader who wanted to know how to stop hot flashes without taking estrogen. I myself tried absolutely everything, believe me. Finally a friend told me about Estrovera, which is made of some sort of rhubarb.
After three months, my hot flashes have diminished to just occasionally getting warm but the night sweats are gone. It takes a while for natural things to work but this stuff is well worth a try.
A. The active ingredient in Estrovera is a standardized extract of rhapontic rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum). The rhubarb that grows in the back yard is a different species, Rheum rhabarbarum.
German doctors have been using Estrovera to help their menopausal patients for 20 years. Scientists tested the rhapontic rhubarb extract in a placebo-controlled trial and found that it reduced menopause symptoms significantly more than placebo over 12 weeks (Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Jan-Feb., 2009).
Research in rats shows that this extract does not stimulate the growth of uterine tissue or increase bone density (Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jan., 2012). This suggests that it doesn’t act like estrogen and should not cause side effects like those associated with hormone replacement therapy.
You will find more information and many reader comments here. You may also be interested in our 8-page Guide to Menopause, with a discussion of drug and non-drug relief for menopausal symptoms.
