Last checked September 2026 against 10 sources · Editorial policy
Evening primrose oil for menopause
Evening primrose oil isn't proven for menopause. A 2024 meta-analysis found it lowered hot flash severity vs placebo in studies shorter than 6 months, but not how often or how long hot flashes lasted, and called the evidence insufficient. One trial found fewer and milder night sweats with no change in hot flashes. NCCIH says there isn't enough evidence to support it for any health condition. It's probably safe for most adults.
Evening primrose oil may slightly lower hot flash severity short term but not frequency, and is probably no better than placebo for breast pain. Safety and better options.
Evening primrose oil for menopause: expectation vs reality
What people often expect
“Evening primrose oil is a proven natural fix for hot flashes”
What the evidence shows
The best summary of trials found only a reduction in hot flash severity, not frequency, and in a head-to-head comparison hot flashes were more severe at 8 weeks with evening primrose oil than with black cohosh. The authors concluded the evidence is insufficient to draw firm conclusions.
Evening primrose oil and menopause: what studies show
Evening primrose oil for hot flashes
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and controlled trials found hot flash severity was lower with evening primrose oil than placebo when taken for less than 6 months. There was no significant difference in hot flash frequency or duration. The authors called the evidence insufficient and asked for more research.
Learn more →Evening primrose oil for night sweats
In a single-blind randomized trial in postmenopausal women, evening primrose oil capsules didn't reduce the duration, frequency or severity of hot flashes, but the intervention group had fewer and less severe night sweats than the control group. One small trial isn't enough to recommend it for night sweats.
Learn more →Evening primrose oil vs black cohosh
In the meta-analysis, evening primrose oil and black cohosh didn't differ in hot flash severity at 4 weeks, but hot flashes were more severe with evening primrose oil at 8 weeks. Black cohosh itself has mixed evidence, rated moderate certainty for hot flashes in a 2026 International Menopause Society review.
Learn more →What NCCIH says
NCCIH says there's not enough evidence to support evening primrose oil for any health condition. It hasn't helped atopic dermatitis, is probably no better than placebo for breast pain, and the evidence for PMS and menopause symptoms is insufficient. Its menopause overview lists evening primrose oil among supplements with too little research to reach conclusions.
Evening primrose oil for breast pain
Breast tenderness is common before periods in perimenopause. NCCIH says evening primrose oil is probably not more effective than placebo for breast pain, and the NHS says there's little evidence that evening primrose oil helps breast pain. A well-fitted bra and ordinary painkillers are the NHS's first suggestions.
Learn more →Side effects and safety
Evening primrose oil is probably safe for most adults taken by mouth and is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are stomach symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea; mild nausea and headache were reported in menopause trials. Talk to your doctor before using it if you take any medicine, since herbs can interact with drugs.
Better-supported options for hot flashes
The North American Menopause Society recommends CBT, clinical hypnosis, SSRIs or SNRIs, gabapentin and fezolinetant for hot flashes without hormones, and says hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment. It doesn't recommend supplements or herbal remedies.
Learn more →Evening primrose oil by the numbers
6 months
8 weeks
0
1
Evening primrose oil trials are few and small.
Evening primrose oil and alternatives compared
Evening primrose oil
Good for
Probably safe; may lower hot flash severity short term.Watch
No effect on frequency; evidence insufficient.Black cohosh
Learn more →Good for
Moderate-certainty evidence in a 2026 review.Watch
Rare liver damage.Soy isoflavones
Learn more →Good for
About 20.6% fewer hot flashes in a meta-analysis.Watch
Not recommended by NAMS.CBT
Good for
Recommended by NAMS; reduced night sweats in a trial.Watch
Takes several weeks of sessions or self-help.
How to try evening primrose oil
- Treat it as a short experiment; benefits in trials were limited to severity within 6 months.
- Tell your doctor about it if you take any medicine.
- Stop if it causes stomach pain, nausea or diarrhea.
When to talk to a doctor about evening primrose oil
Hot flashes or night sweats disrupting sleep
Ask about HRT, CBT or proven non-hormonal medicines.
Breast pain with a lump or pain not linked to periods
See a doctor rather than self-treating.
You take regular medicines
Check for interactions before starting.
Evening primrose oil and menopause: questions women ask
Does evening primrose oil help menopause?
Not convincingly. A meta-analysis found it lowered hot flash severity short term but not frequency, and NCCIH says evidence is insufficient for menopause symptoms.
Does evening primrose oil help hot flashes?
It may reduce severity slightly if used for under 6 months, but it didn't reduce how often hot flashes happen. Soy isoflavones, CBT and prescription options have better evidence.
Is evening primrose oil good for postmenopausal women?
It's probably safe but not proven helpful. One trial in postmenopausal women found fewer night sweats but no change in hot flashes.
Can evening primrose oil help perimenopause?
There's no good evidence for perimenopause symptoms or PMS. NCCIH says evidence is insufficient for both.
What are the side effects of evening primrose oil?
Mostly stomach symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea. Mild nausea and headache were reported in menopause trials.
Is evening primrose oil better than black cohosh?
No. In a comparison, hot flashes were more severe with evening primrose oil at 8 weeks than with black cohosh.
Does evening primrose oil help breast pain?
Probably not: NCCIH says it's likely no better than placebo for breast pain, and the NHS says there's little evidence it helps.
Sources
- Thevi T, De S, Soe HHK. Evening Primrose Oil for Menopause Hot Flashes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Menopausal Med. 2024;30(3):127-134.
- Kazemi F, Masoumi SZ, Shayan A, et al. The Effect of Evening Primrose Oil Capsule on Hot Flashes and Night Sweats in Postmenopausal Women: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. J Menopausal Med. 2021;27(1):8-14.
- NCCIH. Evening primrose oil: usefulness and safety.
- Maunder A, Mardon AK, Rao V, et al. Complementary therapies for management of menopausal symptoms: a systematic review to inform the update of the International Menopause Society recommendations on women's midlife health. Climacteric. 2026;29(2):165-209.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Menopausal symptoms: in depth.
- NHS. Breast pain.
- The North American Menopause Society. The 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2023;30(6):573-590.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Black cohosh: usefulness and safety.
- Taku K, Melby MK, Kronenberg F, et al. Extracted or synthesized soybean isoflavones reduce menopausal hot flash frequency and severity: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Menopause. 2012;19(7):776-90.
- Ayers B, Smith M, Hellier J, et al. Effectiveness of group and self-help cognitive behavior therapy in reducing problematic menopausal hot flushes and night sweats (MENOS 2): a randomized controlled trial. Menopause. 2012;19(7):749-59.
See our editorial policy.
Related guides
Supplements for hot flashes
Soy isoflavones cut hot flashes by 20.6% in a meta-analysis; black cohosh and vitamin E help a little. Omega-3…
Black cohosh for menopause
Black cohosh is the most studied herb for hot flashes, with mixed results. What reviews found, the 40 mg dose …
Herbs for menopause
Black cohosh, soy and red clover isoflavones, sage, dong quai and vitex rated by evidence for menopause sympto…
Night sweats
Perimenopause is a common cause in women in their 40s, but medications, infections, thyroid problems and anxie…