This meta-analysis of 6 RCTs (n=557 menopausal women, aged 40–55) evaluated whether homeopathic interventions reduce menopausal symptom severity, hot flashes, and quality of life (QoL) compared with placebo or no intervention.
Homeopathy was associated with a small but statistically significant reduction in overall menopausal symptom severity (SMD = −0.31, 95% CI −0.67 to 0.05; P=0.02) and hot flashes (SMD = −0.20, 95% CI −0.50 to 0.09; P=0.03), but no significant improvement in QoL (SMD = −0.09, 95% CI −0.23 to 0.05; P=0.19). No serious adverse effects were reported.
Only 6 small RCTs were included (n=557 total), with substantial statistical heterogeneity and methodological limitations across trials; the effects observed are small in magnitude and may reflect placebo-related responses rather than true pharmacological activity.
Homeopathy may offer a modest reduction in menopausal symptoms and hot flashes as a nonhormonal complement, but clinicians should counsel patients that the evidence base is small, heterogeneous, and does not yet demonstrate meaningful QoL benefit; larger, high-quality RCTs are needed before routine recommendation.
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