Research
Omega-3 fatty acids for Menopause: Evidence, Interactions and Cautions
Omega-3 fatty acids is an ingredient used in menopause supplements marketed to women. Below is what it has actually been studied for, how strong that evidence is, the drug interactions and cautions on record, and the primary source our grade rests on — all drawn from the HerWellReport ingredient dataset.
Also sold as: Fish oil; eicosapentaenoic acid; docosahexaenoic acid; n-3 fatty acids
What the evidence says about Omega-3 fatty acids
The largest trial gave 355 peri- and postmenopausal women 1.8 g/day of omega-3 or placebo for 12 weeks and found no improvement in hot flush frequency or bother (2.5 versus 2.7 fewer flushes per day; P = 0.28). An earlier, smaller trial of 91 women did report a benefit, so the trial results conflict and the negative trial is much the larger. The Menopause Society's 2023 statement calls the evidence mixed and inconclusive and names omega-3s on its not-recommended list.
The grade "limited" means: limited — One or two small human trials, or trials for a closely related outcome. Grades are explained in full on our methodology page.
Read the primary source this grade rests on (opens in a new tab).
Omega-3 fatty acids drug interactions
- Warfarin and other anticoagulants or antiplatelets
Who should be careful with Omega-3 fatty acids
- Doses of 2-15 g/day of EPA and/or DHA may increase bleeding time
- common side effects are nausea, heartburn and diarrhoea
- tell your surgeon or anticoagulation clinic that you take it
Read more on HerWellReport
- Best Menopause Supplements: What Is Actually In Them
- Does Ashwagandha Help Menopause Symptoms?
- Hot Flushes: What Actually Works, Ranked by Evidence
This entry is generated from row "Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA)" of the HerWellReport ingredient dataset (v2.1, updated 2026-09-23). The dataset is free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 — how to cite it. Ingredient evidence is not evidence for any finished product, and nothing here is medical advice.