Red Clover for Menopause: Plant Oestrogen or Overhyped Herb? MyOva

Red Clover for Menopause: Does It Work for Hot Flushes?

You've probably seen red clover on the back of a supplement label and thought one of two things: "that sounds nice and natural" or "what even is that?" Both are fair. It sounds like something that grew in your gran's garden, and a lot of menopause marketing leans on that.

Here's the short version. Red clover contains plant compounds called isoflavones, which can interact with oestrogen receptors in lab tests. Whether that means fewer hot flushes is still an open question. The biggest review, from Cochrane, found no conclusive benefit. One 2021 meta-analysis found about 1.7 fewer hot flushes a day, but the result sat close to zero and the trials disagreed with each other [1, 2]. You're not imagining it: the evidence is confusing.

This is what I wish someone had told me: "natural" and "proven" are not the same word. So this guide goes through what the research found, what NICE and the NHS say, who should avoid red clover, and where the MyOva Hormone Balance supplement fits (and doesn't). If you're still working out what's happening in your body, start with our perimenopause guide. If you're weighing up another herb, see what the research says about sage, and our Hormone Balance ingredient guide covers every ingredient in the formula.

A white cup of pale golden herbal tea on a marble windowsill beside fresh pink red clover blossoms and leaves, a folded linen napkin and an open blank notebook with a pen

In this guide:

What Is Red Clover and What's in It?

In short: Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a plant rich in isoflavones, mainly formononetin and biochanin A, which can bind oestrogen receptors in lab tests.

Red clover is a flowering plant that has been used in traditional herbal medicine for a long time. What makes it relevant to menopause is its isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen. "Phytoestrogen" means plant oestrogen, which sounds more powerful than it is. These compounds are not oestrogen, and in lab tests they bind to oestrogen receptors much more weakly than your own hormones do.

Red clover's main isoflavones are not the same as soy's. In one bone trial, the daily red clover supplement supplied about 26 mg of biochanin A and 16 mg of formononetin, with under 2 mg of genistein and daidzein combined [3]. Some of the biochanin A and formononetin is converted in the body into genistein and daidzein [2]. Whether that conversion makes any practical difference to symptoms hasn't been shown.

You'll often read that red clover "prefers" the beta type of oestrogen receptor, which is found in bone, blood vessels and brain, rather than the alpha type found in the womb and breast. The kernel of truth is that genistein binds beta more strongly than alpha in lab tests [4]. But formononetin showed significant alpha binding in another binding study [5]. So the neat story that red clover only touches the "good" receptors is a simplification. Binding in a test tube doesn't tell you what happens in your breast, womb or bones.

Does Red Clover Help With Hot Flushes?

In short: The evidence is mixed. Cochrane found no conclusive benefit; a 2021 meta-analysis found about 1.7 fewer hot flushes a day, with wide uncertainty.

Hot flushes and night sweats are among the most common menopause symptoms, and the NHS lists them alongside low mood and sleep problems [6]. Here's what the main reviews and trials found for red clover.

Source What it looked at What it found
ICE trial, 2003 252 women with frequent hot flushes, 12 weeks, two red clover products (82 mg and 57 mg isoflavones a day) against placebo All three groups improved by about the same amount. The authors concluded neither product had a clinically important effect [7].
Cochrane review, 2013 43 trials of phytoestrogen supplements, including five red clover trials No conclusive evidence that phytoestrogen supplements reduce hot flushes. Red clover trials pooled: about 0.9 fewer a day, not statistically significant [1].
Meta-analysis, 2016 Red clover trials in menopausal women Fewer hot flushes with red clover, but the difference was not statistically significant (as reported in summaries of the paper) [8].
Meta-analysis, 2017 Three trials of one product (80 mg a day) About 3.6 fewer hot flushes a day. The authors called it clinically significant, but it rests on few trials [9].
Meta-analysis, 2021 Eight trials (ten comparisons) About 1.7 fewer hot flushes a day. The confidence interval only just excluded zero, results varied hugely between trials, and the authors called for better-designed studies [2].

Why do the reviews disagree? Because the trials differ in products, doses, length and quality, and hot-flush trials have a huge placebo effect. Cochrane noted that placebo responses ranged from 1% to 59% [1]. In the ICE trial, women on placebo had about 5 fewer hot flushes a day, almost the same as the women on red clover [7]. In the 2021 analysis, the benefit was not statistically significant in the 80 mg or higher dose group, and the authors rated the variation between trials as high [2].

The research on this is actually pretty clear about one thing: nobody has shown a big, reliable effect. Red clover might take the edge off hot flushes for some women. If it does, the effect is modest, and nobody can promise you'll be one of them. A 2026 meta-analysis has been published, but we couldn't read it in full, so it isn't included here.

What Do NICE and the NHS Say About Herbal Remedies?

In short: NICE says some evidence suggests isoflavones may ease flushes, but safety is uncertain and quality unknown. HRT is the main option it says to offer.

NICE's menopause guideline says HRT should be offered for hot flushes and night sweats after a discussion of the benefits and risks [10]. The NHS adds that you may be offered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for hot flushes and night sweats [11].

On herbal remedies, NICE says there is some evidence that isoflavones or black cohosh may relieve hot flushes, but that many preparations are available, their safety is uncertain, interactions with other medicines have been reported, and the quality, purity and ingredients of products may be unknown [10]. NICE talks about isoflavones in general rather than red clover by name. The NHS says herbal remedies such as red clover contain plant hormones that can act in a similar way to oestrogen, that there's little evidence on how well they work or how safe they are, and that they're not tested and regulated in the same way as medicines [12, 11].

None of that means you shouldn't consider a herbal option. It means you should treat it as an experiment with uncertain odds, tell your GP or pharmacist what you're taking, and not delay a conversation about options that have stronger evidence. HRT isn't right for everyone, and some women can't or don't want to take it. That's a decision to make with a clinician who knows your history.

Is Red Clover Safe?

In short: Trials found no signs of womb-lining or vaginal oestrogen effects, but some people should avoid it, including anyone with hormone-sensitive cancer.

The reassuring part first. Cochrane found no evidence of oestrogenic stimulation of the womb lining or vagina with phytoestrogen supplements in trials lasting up to two years [1]. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health similarly describes trials of up to two years with apparent safety [13].

The less reassuring part. "No problems seen in trials" isn't the same as "proven safe for everyone". Safety data in women with cancer is generally lacking [14], and red clover products aren't regulated like medicines [12]. Check first with your GP or pharmacist if any of these apply to you.

If you... What the sources say What to do
Have or have had breast cancer or another hormone-sensitive cancer Macmillan says doctors advise against plant oestrogens because there isn't enough evidence about how helpful or safe they are [15] Speak to your oncology team first
Take tamoxifen Use alongside tamoxifen is considered a theoretical concern, and safety data is lacking [14] Ask your specialist before taking any red clover product
Take blood thinners such as warfarin Macmillan says red clover may increase the risk of bleeding [15]. Memorial Sloan Kettering reports possible interactions [16] Don't combine without medical advice
Are pregnant or breastfeeding Red clover may be unsafe [13, 16] Avoid it
Take other prescribed medicines Lab studies suggest isoflavones may affect liver enzymes that process some medicines, though no clinically significant interactions have been reported [16, 14] Ask your pharmacist

If you're taking any supplement and notice vaginal bleeding, unusual bruising, a rash or any reaction that worries you, stop it and speak to your GP.

Does Red Clover Protect Your Bones?

In short: Two small trials suggest red clover may slow bone loss at the lumbar spine, but not at the hip, and HRT has far stronger evidence on fracture risk.

Falling oestrogen speeds up bone loss in and after the menopause, so it's a fair question. Two trials have looked at it.

In a 12-month trial of 205 women aged 49 to 65, a red clover supplement providing about 43.5 mg of isoflavones a day was linked with significantly less loss of lumbar spine bone mineral content and density than placebo. There was no effect at the hip, on bone resorption markers or on body composition [3].

A smaller 12-week trial of 60 healthy menopausal women, using a red clover extract (150 mL a day), found that lumbar spine bone density fell significantly only in the placebo group [17]. That's a finding within each group. It isn't the same as showing the red clover group did better than placebo.

Both trials measured bone density, which is a stand-in for the outcome that matters: fractures. Neither measured fractures. NICE says the risk of fragility fracture is decreased while taking HRT [10]. If you're worried about your bones, ask your GP about your personal risk factors. A supplement isn't a bone plan.

Can Red Clover Help With Mood and Sleep?

In short: One small crossover trial reported big drops in mood scores on red clover, but scores also fell on placebo, so the true effect is unclear.

Low mood, anxiety and sleep problems are common in the menopause transition and they're not "just your age" [6]. Your body is trying to tell you something, and it deserves a proper answer.

A 2010 trial gave 109 postmenopausal women either 80 mg of red clover isoflavones a day or placebo for 90 days, with a short break and then a switch to the other treatment. Anxiety and depression scores fell by about 76% and 78% on red clover, but total scores also fell by about 22% during the placebo period [18]. Those are changes within each treatment period. It was a single, small trial using a manufacturer-supplied product, and a short break between treatments can let effects carry over, which makes crossover results harder to read.

A follow-up paper from the same group reported self-rated improvements in several areas, including sleep, among many secondary outcomes [19]. That's a signal worth testing properly. It isn't proof.

If low mood or anxiety is stopping you functioning, or lasting, that's a conversation for your GP, not a supplement aisle. If you feel unsafe, call 999 or go to A&E. NHS 111 (mental health option) and Samaritans on 116 123 are there any time [20, 21]. For sleep, see our guide to why you can't sleep before your period.

Does Red Clover Help Your Heart?

In short: Evidence is thin. A 1999 pilot study of 17 women found better arterial compliance on red clover, and cholesterol did not change.

Oestrogen has effects on blood vessels, so researchers have looked at whether isoflavones do something similar. The best-known study is a 1999 pilot of 17 menopausal women who took placebo, then 40 mg, then 80 mg of red clover isoflavones, each for five weeks. Arterial compliance, a measure of how flexible large arteries are, was about 23% higher on the 80 mg dose than on placebo. Blood fats didn't change [22].

That's one small study with a fixed treatment order, one of the authors was from Novogen, a company that sold red clover isoflavone products, and it measured an indirect marker rather than heart attacks or strokes. It didn't compare red clover with HRT. It's an interesting early finding, not a heart-health plan.

Is Red Clover Better Than Soy?

In short: We found no trial showing red clover works better than soy. Equol production varies between people, and its clinical relevance is still unproven.

You'll see claims that red clover is more reliable than soy because it works for women whose gut bacteria can't make equol. Equol is a compound some gut bacteria make from daidzein. Roughly 30% of adults in Western countries produce it, compared with roughly 60% of Asian adults [23]. Some studies link equol production to benefits such as fewer hot flushes, and others found no effect, so the author called for better-designed studies [23].

The claim that red clover bypasses the question isn't supported. Formononetin is converted to daidzein [2], which is the same compound some gut bacteria turn into equol. And we found no head-to-head trial of red clover against soy. So "better than soy" is marketing, not a finding.

Does the Extract Ratio on the Label Matter?

In short: A 10:1 ratio says how much plant went into the extract, not how many isoflavones you get. Look for the isoflavone amount in mg and compare.

Many labels say something like "red clover 10:1 extract". It sounds precise. It means roughly 10 parts of dried plant were used to make 1 part of extract. A 2022 paper on extract ratios makes the point that a plant-to-extract ratio doesn't fully describe a botanical extract and is often misread as a measure of strength [24].

Trials dose by isoflavone content. The ICE trial used 82 mg and 57 mg of total isoflavones a day [7], and the bone trial above used about 43.5 mg [3]. So if you're comparing products, look for the total isoflavone amount in milligrams. If a label only gives an extract ratio, you can't tell how it compares with the trials. That goes for any brand, including ours, as the next section explains.

Where Does MyOva Hormone Balance Fit In?

In short: Hormone Balance has 100 mg of red clover extract (10:1) among ten ingredients. No trial has tested it, and the label gives no isoflavone amount.

Red clover is one of the ingredients in MyOva Hormone Balance, a daily food supplement. Here's the part of the label that matters for this article.

MyOva Hormone Balance Daily Botanical and B6 Supplement
Daily Food Supplement
Hormone Balance Daily Botanical & B6 Supplement

A daily food supplement with nine botanical extracts and vitamin B6, which contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity. Two capsules daily.

Ingredient (two capsules a day) Amount What to know
Red clover extract (10:1) 100 mg The label doesn't state the isoflavone content, so it can't be compared with the 40 to 80 mg trial doses. No trial has tested this formula.
Vitamin B6 (as P5P) 10 mg Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity, to normal psychological function and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue [25].
Eight other botanical extracts Holy basil, shatavari, ashwagandha, turmeric, sage, fennel, chamomile, rosemary No authorised health claims. Each has its own cautions; see our ingredient guide.

What we can say is limited, and we'd rather be clear about it. Vitamin B6 has authorised claims, and the table says what they are. The botanicals don't, and this article is not a claim that red clover in Hormone Balance will reduce your hot flushes. It isn't a treatment for menopause symptoms, and it isn't a substitute for HRT or for a conversation with your GP. It's a food supplement, and it works as part of a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle, not instead of them.

Safety first. Hormone Balance isn't recommended if you're pregnant or breastfeeding unless a healthcare professional advises it. Everything in the safety table above applies to the red clover in it, so check with your GP or pharmacist first if you have had a hormone-sensitive cancer, take tamoxifen or blood thinners, or take other medicines. It contains chamomile, so avoid it if you're allergic to plants in the daisy family, such as ragweed [26]. It provides 10 mg of vitamin B6, which is the daily amount the NHS says is unlikely to cause harm, so don't combine it with other B6 products without checking [27].

When Should You See Your GP?

In short: See your GP if menopause symptoms are affecting your daily life, sleep, mood or work. There are treatments with stronger evidence than red clover.

The NHS says the menopause usually affects women between 45 and 55, though it can happen earlier [6]. You don't have to wait until symptoms are unbearable to ask for help. Keep a simple diary of your hot flushes, sleep and mood for a couple of weeks. It turns "I feel awful" into something your GP can work with.

Ask about all your options, including HRT, CBT and anything else that suits your history, and tell them about any supplement you take, red clover included. Hormonal literacy isn't complicated, it's just rarely taught, and a good appointment is part of learning it. If you think your symptoms could be perimenopause alongside a condition such as PMOS (PCOS), our guide to PMOS (PCOS) and perimenopause explains the overlap.

Infographic titled Red Clover and Hot Flushes: What to Know, with five points: the evidence is mixed, check the dose in mg, know the stronger options such as HRT and CBT, check before you take it if you have had hormone-sensitive cancer or take tamoxifen or blood thinners or are pregnant, and tell your GP or pharmacist about any supplement

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does red clover take to work for hot flushes?

There's no reliable answer, because the evidence that it works at all is mixed. The trials we've covered lasted about 12 weeks [7, 2]. If you try a product, give it a fixed period, track your hot flushes in a diary, and stop if it isn't helping.

Can I take red clover with HRT?

We found no good evidence either way, so ask your prescriber or pharmacist before combining them. Herbal products can interact with medicines, as NICE and the NHS both point out [10, 12].

Is red clover the same as soy isoflavones?

No. Red clover's main isoflavones are formononetin and biochanin A, while soy's are genistein and daidzein, though some red clover isoflavones are converted into those two in the body [3, 2]. We found no trial showing one works better than the other.

Is red clover safe to take long term?

Trials of up to two years found no signs of oestrogenic effects on the womb lining or vagina [1], but long-term safety data is limited, and some people should avoid it, including after hormone-sensitive cancer [15, 14]. Check with your GP or pharmacist.

Does red clover affect fertility?

We found no trial testing red clover for fertility, and it's mainly studied in menopausal women. If you're trying to conceive, are pregnant or are breastfeeding, avoid it unless a healthcare professional advises otherwise [13, 16].

The Bottom Line

Red clover is not a wellness trend with nothing behind it, and it's not a proven treatment either. The research is mixed: Cochrane found no conclusive benefit for hot flushes, some meta-analyses found modest effects, and the bone, mood and heart findings are small and early. HRT and CBT have much stronger evidence, and a conversation with your GP is worth more than any label.

It's not a magic fix. If you decide to try red clover anyway, check the isoflavone content, check the safety table, and tell your GP or pharmacist. Your diagnosis is a starting point, not a verdict, and your menopause symptoms deserve a proper plan.

Related Reading

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Guidance details are accurate to the sources cited at the time of writing. MyOva Hormone Balance is a food supplement, not a medicine, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Food supplements should not replace a varied diet. Always speak to your GP or pharmacist before taking a new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a hormone-sensitive condition or take prescribed medication. If you feel unsafe, call 999 or Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24 hours).

References

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  2. Kanadys W, Barańska A, Błaszczuk A, Polz-Dacewicz M, Drop B, Kanecki K, Malm M. Evaluation of clinical meaningfulness of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) extract to relieve hot flushes and menopausal symptoms in peri- and post-menopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1258. doi:10.3390/nu13041258
  3. Atkinson C, Compston JE, Day NE, Dowsett M, Bingham SA. The effects of phytoestrogen isoflavones on bone density in women: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;79(2):326-333.
  4. Kuiper GGJM, Lemmen JG, Carlsson B, et al. Interaction of estrogenic chemicals and phytoestrogens with estrogen receptor β. Endocrinology. 1998;139(10):4252-4263. doi:10.1210/endo.139.10.6216
  5. Morito K, Aomori T, Hirose T, et al. Interaction of phytoestrogens with estrogen receptors α and β (II). Biol Pharm Bull. 2002;25(1):48-52. doi:10.1248/bpb.25.48
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  7. Tice JA, Ettinger B, Ensrud K, Wallace R, Blackwell T, Cummings SR. Phytoestrogen supplements for the treatment of hot flashes: the Isoflavone Clover Extract (ICE) Study: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2003;290(2):207-214. doi:10.1001/jama.290.2.207
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  10. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Menopause: identification and management. NICE guideline NG23 (recommendations and information for the public). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23
  11. NHS. Treatment: menopause and perimenopause. Reviewed 19 May 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause-and-perimenopause/treatment/
  12. NHS. Herbal remedies and complementary medicines for menopause symptoms. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/alternatives-to-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/herbal-remedies-and-complementary-medicines-for-menopause-symptoms/
  13. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Red clover. Updated April 2025. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/red-clover
  14. CAM-Cancer Consortium. Red clover. https://cam-cancer.org/redclover
  15. Macmillan Cancer Support. Menopausal symptoms and cancer treatment. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/menopausal-symptoms-and-cancer-treatment
  16. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Red clover. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/red-clover
  17. Thorup AC, Lambert MN, Kahr HS, Bjerre M, Jeppesen PB. Intake of novel red clover supplementation for 12 weeks improves bone status in healthy menopausal women. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:689138. doi:10.1155/2015/689138
  18. Lipovac M, Chedraui P, Gruenhut C, Gocan A, Stammler M, Imhof M. Improvement of postmenopausal depressive and anxiety symptoms after treatment with isoflavones derived from red clover extracts. Maturitas. 2010;65(3):258-261. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2009.10.014
  19. Lipovac M, Chedraui P, Gruenhut C, et al. Effect of red clover isoflavones over skin, appendages, and mucosal status in postmenopausal women. Obstet Gynecol Int. 2011;2011:949302. doi:10.1155/2011/949302
  20. NHS. Where to get urgent help for mental health. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/
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  22. Nestel PJ, Pomeroy S, Kay S, Komesaroff P, Behrsing J, Cameron JD, West L. Isoflavones from red clover improve systemic arterial compliance but not plasma lipids in menopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999;84(3):895-898. doi:10.1210/jcem.84.3.5561
  23. Magee PJ. Is equol production beneficial to health? Proc Nutr Soc. 2011;70(1):10-18. doi:10.1017/S0029665110003940
  24. Monagas M, Brendler T, Brinckmann J, et al. Understanding plant to extract ratios in botanical extracts. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:981978. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.981978
  25. Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims (retained in Great Britain); see the GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/great-britain-nutrition-and-health-claims-nhc-register
  26. European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products. European Union herbal monograph on Matricaria recutita L., flos. 2015. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-matricaria-recutita-l-flos-first-version_en.pdf
  27. NHS. Vitamins and minerals: B vitamins and folic acid. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-b/
Leila Martyn

Leila Martyn

Leila is the founder of MyOva, a UK-based hormonal health brand for women with PMOS (PCOS), endometriosis, perimenopause, PMDD and fertility challenges. Drawing on lived experience and scientific research, she shares evidence-based guidance to help women understand their hormones and cycles.

Related reading: Red clover is one of several botanicals women try for menopause support. See our guide to maca root for women for how its evidence (and its different, non-oestrogenic mechanism) compares.

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