Moon balance is a popular herbal supplement marketed to help relieve menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep problems. The key ingredients in Moon balance are black cohosh, chasteberry, red clover, and soy isoflavones.
Black cohosh has been used for centuries by Native Americans to treat menstrual and menopause issues. Today, it's one of the most clinically researched herbs for relieving hot flashes and night sweats. It may work by acting like estrogen in some parts of the body.
Chasteberry has long been used to support hormonal balance in women. Some research suggests it may help ease PMS and menopausal symptoms like mood swings by interacting with dopamine and opioid receptors. However, more research is still needed.
Red clover contains phytoestrogens called isoflavones, which may help manage hot flashes and support bone health during menopause. The research is mixed - some studies show modest benefits while others show no effect.
Soy isoflavones are another source of plant-based estrogen that may provide relief from hot flashes. Data on other menopause symptoms is limited. Concerns about soy interacting with hormone-sensitive cancers aren't well supported but more research is underway.
Here's a quick rundown of some of the potential benefits of the key ingredients in Moon balance:
- Black cohosh - Relief from hot flashes/night sweats
- Chasteberry - Ease mood swings
- Red clover - Modest reduction in hot flashes
- Soy isoflavones - Relief from hot flashes
And some potential
side effects to be aware of:
- Stomach upset
- Headache, dizziness
- Rash or itching
Rare but serious side effects have been reported with black cohosh such as liver damage.
Now, let’s dive deeper into some of the published
research on using Moon balance or its key ingredients for menopause:
Hot Flashes/Night Sweats
- In a 12-week study of 120 women, those taking Moon balance saw frequency of hot flashes fall by 46% compared to 24% in the placebo group.
- A meta-analysis of 17 trials found black cohosh significantly reduced hot flashes and night sweats versus placebo. It was effective for up to 24 weeks of use.
- Results from a 2010 review showed soy isoflavones decreased hot flash frequency by 20% while placebo only reduced it by 5%.
Mood/Emotions
- A randomized, double-blind trial in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women found those who took a supplement with chasteberry and other herbs reported significantly better mood compared to placebo users. Effects were notable by month 3 and peaked at month 5.
- Black cohosh did not improve mood in postmenopausal women in another controlled trial.
Bone Health
- Early evidence suggests that red clover isoflavones may help slow down bone loss in postmenopausal women. More extensive clinical trials are needed.
- Results from a 24-week study showed peri- and postmenopausal women taking Moon balance increased bone formation markers and had significant gains in bone mineral density compared to placebo. The supplement appeared to slow down bone resorption as well.
In summary, Moon balance contains herbal ingredients like
black cohosh, red clover, and chasteberry that show potential for relieving some of the most troublesome
menopause symptoms - namely hot flashes, night sweats and
mood changes. The research is most robust for black cohosh while more studies are needed to confirm benefits for the other herbs. This herbal supplement may also support better bone health during the menopause transition.
When considering Moon balance or any other
menopause supplement, discuss it with your healthcare provider first to weigh appropriateness for your individual health status. While generally well tolerated, side effects are possible and black cohosh in particular has rarely been associated with liver toxicity.
Hope this overview on Moon balance for menopause was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.
At New Beginnings HRT Clinic, our physicians and nurses specialize in evidence-based bioidentical hormone therapy to help women sail through menopause smoothly and improve their quality of life, vitality and health. Contact us today for a consultation to review your menopause treatment options including BHRT.
