Some research suggests evening primrose oil may have a positive effect on menopause-related hot flashes, but other studies suggest no effect. Speak with your doctor before trying it for their advice.

Perimenopause and menopause can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms. While lifestyle changes can help reduce these symptoms, they may not always work for everyone.

Evening primrose oil (EPO) is an alternative treatment to alleviate pain and discomfort during menopause.

Before you try EPO

Speak with your doctor, especially if you take other medications. EPO may interact with certain medications in harmful ways. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate dietary supplements such as EPO. Only buy from trusted sources.

Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a flower native to North America that’s also found in Europe and parts of the Southern Hemisphere.

Indigenous People have used evening primrose for its healing purposes. The leaves were used for minor wounds and sore throats, while the entire plant was used for bruises.

Modern medicine uses the oil extract from evening primrose seeds in supplements to treat eczema, breast pain, and symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes.

Your body needs a balance of nutrients and fatty acids to function properly.

Omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids are essential for brain and bone health. You can only consume these healthy fats through foods and products like EPO.

EPO contains high levels of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and linolenic acid, which are omega-6 fatty acids that reduce inflammation when consumed in moderation with omega-3 fatty acids.

Because of its potential effect on inflammation, EPO has many uses, besides treating menopause-related hot flashes, for conditions such as:

According to a 2019 research review, one older study cited used 500-milligram (mg) EPO capsules over 6 weeks. This significantly improved hot flash severity but may also affect frequency and duration.

A 2021 study, however, found that EPO didn’t affect the symptoms of hot flashes, but it did help improve night sweats. Participants in this study took 1,000 mg capsules twice daily for 8 weeks.

You may also apply EPO topically to your skin. However, if you don’t ingest it, you may not see the same results as the study participants.

It’s important to discuss dosage with your doctor. If the dosage is too high, you could experience uncomfortable side effects. EPO may also interact with other medications you take.

Short-term use of oral EPO is likely safe and generally well-tolerated by most adults. However, little research has studied its use in the long term.

The most common side effects of oral EPO may include:

Doctors recommend taking this supplement alone rather than in combination with other medication. Interactions with other drugs may cause bleeding, increase your risk of seizures, and reduce the effectiveness of prescribed drugs.

There are far fewer side effects from using this oil topically. However, an allergic reaction is still possible.

While some research supports EPO for the treatment of menopause symptoms like hot flashes, you shouldn’t ignore traditional treatment options and lifestyle changes.

EPO isn’t the only nonhormonal treatment for symptoms of menopause.

Eat whole foods, sleep in a cool room with a fan, and keep cooling gels and cold rice packs handy for future hot flashes. Maintain a diet rich in calcium and exercise regularly.

Speak with your doctor for additional natural options for managing the symptoms of menopause.

Some people may benefit from EPO, while others might not experience any relief from symptoms of menopause when taking it.

The FDA doesn’t regulate dietary supplements such as EPO. More research is also needed to determine if it’s safe to use in the long term. But when used in the short term, it’s likely safe.

Speak with your doctor before trying EPO, whether topically or orally. It may interact with medications you take or cause an allergic reaction. In general, most adults tolerate it well.

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