FOOD & SUPPLEMENT BUNDLE
Foods and supplements claimed to help women's health
51 of them, ranked by strength of evidence. 3 reach grade A or B.
At a glance
51 foods and supplements marketed for women's health, each graded one by one against clinical trial evidence. Grade spread: B 3 · C 29 · D 14 · F 2. 3 reach grade A or B.
The grade measures how strong the evidence is, not how good something is for you. Grade A means independent research groups replicated a reduction in real clinical events in humans; grade F means well-designed trials established there is no effect. See Methodology.
Claimed to help women's health — strongest evidence first
Within a grade, higher scores come first; verdicts without a score sit at the bottom. Follow a name to see its trials, evidence, and limits.
| B | 74 | DHA and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy | Reduced risk of preterm and early preterm birth |
| B | 63 | Complex extract including Cynanchum wilfordii (EstroG-100: Cynanchum wilfordii/Cynanchum, Phlomis umbrosa, and Angelica gigas complex) and pomegranate extract/pomegranate concentrate | Relief of menopausal symptoms in women |
| B | 60 | Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) | PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and morning sickness |
| C | 58 | Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus/chasteberry) | PMS and premenstrual syndrome |
| C | 58 | Siberian rhubarb extract (ERr 731) | Relief of menopausal hot flashes and symptoms |
| C | 57 | Ginger root powder or extract from Zingiber officinale | Pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea |
| C | 56 | Inositol (myo-inositol/D-chiro-inositol) | PCOS, mood, and blood glucose |
| C | 56 | Soy foods after breast-cancer diagnosis | Lower breast-cancer recurrence and mortality |
| C | 54 | Flaxseed (lignans, flaxseed) | menopausal symptoms (hot flashes/night sweats), gut health (constipation/bowel movements), cholesterol (LDL/total cholesterol) |
| C | 54 | S-equol, a soy-derived fermentation metabolite | Relief of menopausal hot flashes, sleep disturbance, and muscle pain |
| C | 54 | Whole lettuce | Reduced incidence of estrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer |
| C | 54 | Whole date fruit, 100 g | Reduced bleeding during 24 hours after vaginal delivery |
| C | 54 | An additional 1.5 L of water per day on top of usual intake | Prevention of recurrent cystitis in premenopausal women with low baseline fluid intake |
| C | 53 | Lactobacillus acidophilus YT1 (MENOLACTO®, an individually recognized branded strain) | Improved menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, and quality of life |
| C | 52 | Fennel seed extract | Relief of menopausal symptoms |
| C | 52 | Coenzyme Q10 | Improved IVF or ICSI pregnancy success in women with diminished ovarian reserve |
| C | 52 | Saffron, a Crocus sativus extract | Relief of mood and physical symptoms of PMS or PMDD |
| C | 50 | MS-10 thistle complex | Relief of menopausal symptoms in women |
| C | 50 | UREX probiotics GR-1 plus RC-14 (L. rhamnosus GR-1 plus L. reuteri RC-14) | Growth of beneficial vaginal bacteria and reduction of bacterial-vaginosis recurrence |
| C | 49 | Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA fish-oil supplement; dysmenorrhea efficacy axis) | Reduced pain intensity and analgesic use in primary dysmenorrhea |
| C | 48 | Red clover isoflavones | Relief of menopausal hot flashes and night sweats |
| C | 48 | Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) | Improvement of menopausal symptoms and female sexual function |
| C | 48 | Fennel seed extract (Foeniculum vulgare) | Reduced pain and analgesic use in primary dysmenorrhea |
| C | 48 | Edible castor oil (ricinoleic-acid-rich vegetable oil, food and nonprescription product) | Promotion of spontaneous labor onset within 24 hours and vaginal delivery after oral ingestion at term or post-term |
| C | 46 | Soy isoflavones (soy isoflavones; genistein, daidzein, glycitein, etc.) | Menopausal symptoms in women, especially vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes/night sweats |
| C | 46 | Sophora japonica fruit extract | Menopausal women’s health and improvement in the Kupperman Index |
| C | 43 | Diindolylmethane (DIM) | Estrogen balance and PMS improvement |
| C | 43 | Pueraria mirifica | Breast enlargement, estrogen balance, and relief of menopausal symptoms |
| C | 42 | Gamma-oryzanol (derived from rice bran) | Cholesterol, menopause, autonomic nervous system |
| C | 40 | Germinated fermented soybean extract | Relief of menopausal symptoms in women |
| C | 40 | Motherwort (Leonurus japonicus) | Irregular menstruation, menstrual pain, and postpartum uterine recovery |
| C | 40 | Maca (Lepidium meyenii) | Female desire and sexual function, including antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction |
| D | 36 | Pueraria root (kudzu root, Pueraria/kudzu, puerarin) | Menopause and hangover |
| D | 34 | WHI low-fat dietary pattern | Reduced invasive breast-cancer incidence in postmenopausal women |
| D | 34 | Switching from caffeinated to decaffeinated instant coffee before 20 weeks' gestation, reducing total caffeine by a mean 182 mg/day | Higher birth weight and longer gestation |
| D | 33 | Black cohosh (black cohosh, Cimicifuga/Actaea racemosa) | Menopausal symptoms (hot flashes) |
| D | 30 | Red raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) | Shorter labor, uterine health, and menstrual-pain relief |
| D | 30 | Sea buckthorn berry oil | Relief of postmenopausal vaginal dryness and mucosal atrophy symptoms |
| D | 30 | D-mannose (monosaccharide supplement) | Prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection over six months in women |
| D | 29 | Cranberry PAC, a berry-polyphenol supplement from Vaccinium macrocarpon containing proanthocyanidins | Antibiotic-replacing symptom resolution and clinical cure of established acute uncomplicated cystitis in women |
| D | 28 | Calcium supplementation | Prevention of preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy |
| D | 28 | Dong quai (Angelica sinensis single-ingredient capsules) | Improvement of menopausal hot flashes and female hormone balance |
| D | 27 | Wild yam extract | Menopausal symptoms and a 'natural progesterone' effect |
| D | 25 | Evening primrose oil (gamma-linolenic acid, GLA; in the domestic market often advertised together with GLA-containing oils such as borage oil and blackcurrant oil) | PMS (discomfort due to premenstrual changes) and skin (immune hypersensitivity/atopic dermatitis, dryness, itching) |
| D | 25 | Seed cycling (a diet alternating flaxseed plus pumpkin seed in the follicular phase with sesame plus sunflower seed in the luteal phase) | Balanced sex hormones, more regular menstrual cycles, and reduced PMS in healthy women |
| D | 24 | Evening primrose oil (a gamma-linolenic-acid-containing botanical oil supplement) | Relief of cyclical mastalgia |
| F | 10 | Alcoholic beverages in women, per 10 g/day increase in ethanol | Breast-cancer prevention or risk reduction |
| F | 8 | Glonoinum 30C (single-ingredient ultra-dilute homeopathic product) | Rapid relief of menopausal hot flashes with accompanying headache |
| ? | score not listed | Goat's rue (Galega officinalis lactation supplement) | Increased breast-milk production in lactating women |
| ? | score not listed | Mature pumpkin juice | Reduced postpartum edema |
| ? | score not listed | Miyeokguk made by rehydrating and cooking dried wakame | Faster recovery of postpartum fatigue, pain, anemia, function, or recovery time |
Not swallowed — applied, inhaled, held in the mouth, worn, or performed on the body (5)
Same claims, but these are not taken by mouth: rubbed on the skin, breathed in, chewed or rinsed and spat out, worn on the body, or performed as a procedure such as acupuncture or cupping. A different route into the body, so they are listed separately.
| C | 50 | Cold cabbage leaves applied twice in addition to usual breast-engorgement care | Short-term relief of pain and hardness from postpartum breast engorgement |
| C | 46 | Vaginal hyaluronic acid (topical vaginal gel or cream) | Relief of vaginal dryness, atrophy, and dyspareunia in genitourinary syndrome of menopause |
| D | 32 | Acupuncture for labour induction (acupoint stimulation at term or post-term) | Promotion of spontaneous labour and reduction of medical induction |
| D | 30 | Acupuncture (traditional needle-stimulation procedure) | Reduction in frequency and severity of menopausal hot flashes |
| F | 8 | Acupuncture as an adjunct before and after embryo transfer | Increased live-birth rate in women undergoing in vitro fertilization |
Claimed to harm women's health (3)
Here a higher grade means the harm is better established — the opposite direction from the table above. A low grade means the claim of harm rests on weak evidence.
| C | 56 | At least 2.3 daily servings of produce classified as high-residue using US surveillance data | Lower clinical-pregnancy and live-birth success per assisted-reproduction cycle |
| C | 56 | Use of hair straighteners, relaxers, or pressing products | Associated with increased incidence of uterine cancer |
| D | 30 | Antiperspirant, deodorant, and underarm shaving | Higher breast-cancer incidence |
What does have evidence for women's health
Not foods or supplements: drugs and procedures graded A or B. Chamgap recommends nothing. It only shows where the evidence is strong. Any treatment decision belongs with your doctor.
| A | 96 | Tamoxifen citrate (selective estrogen receptor modulator and prescription medicine) | Reduced recurrence and breast-cancer mortality after surgery for estrogen-receptor-positive early breast cancer |
| A | 96 | Trastuzumab (anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody; prescription biologic, Herceptin) | Reduced recurrence and mortality after surgery and chemotherapy for HER2-positive early breast cancer |
| A | 96 | Magnesium sulfate (inorganic magnesium salt anticonvulsant; prescription intravenous or intramuscular injection) | Prevention of eclamptic seizures in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia |
| A | 94 | Antenatal betamethasone (long-acting glucocorticoid given by prescription intramuscular injection) | Reduced neonatal and perinatal death and respiratory distress syndrome in imminent preterm birth at 24 to 34 weeks |
| A | 94 | Immediate kangaroo mother care (immediate KMC, neonatal care based on skin-to-skin contact and breast-milk feeding) | Reduced neonatal mortality in preterm or low-birth-weight infants |
| A | 93 | Deferred or delayed cord clamping in preterm birth (a delivery procedure) | Reduced neonatal death before hospital discharge among infants born preterm |
| A | 92 | Low-dose aspirin, 81 to 150 mg, an antiplatelet medicine available by prescription or without prescription depending on jurisdiction | Prevention of preterm preeclampsia when a high-risk pregnant patient takes it after 12 weeks of gestation under clinician direction |
| A | 91 | Tdap vaccine (non-live combination of tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis antigens; prescription vaccine including Boostrix) | Prevention of pertussis and pertussis hospitalization in early infancy through vaccination at 27 to 36 weeks of pregnancy |
| A | 90 | High-risk human papillomavirus testing for cervical-cancer screening | Prevention of invasive cervical cancer compared with cytology |
| A | 88 | Estradiol (prescription estrogen hormone-replacement therapy; Progynova) | Reduction of moderate-to-severe menopausal hot flashes and vasomotor symptoms |
| A | 88 | Tamoxifen 20 mg daily for five years as prevention | Reduced breast-cancer incidence in high-risk women without breast cancer |
| A | 86 | Letrozole (aromatase inhibitor, Femara, prescription medicine; off-label for infertility) | Increased ovulation and live birth in women with anovulatory PCOS infertility |
How to read this list
A grade of C or D does not mean "do not take it." It means the evidence is not yet strong enough to promise the effect. Equally, A or B does not mean it works for everyone.
Chamgap sells nothing and takes no advertising. See all Women's Health verdicts.