Evening primrose oil for menopause: does it help hot flashes?

Name: Evening primrose oil for menopause: does it help hot flashes?
Creator: MenoWoman

Evening primrose oil is a plant seed oil often taken for hot flashes, breast pain and dry skin. Research has not shown it helps any of these, and it may raise bleeding risk in some people.

Researched by the MenoWoman team. Edited by Marcela Sat. Updated 7 November 2026. We may earn from links.

See a doctor if hot flashes disrupt your life, if you have a new breast lump or ongoing breast pain, or if you have epilepsy or a bleeding disorder and are thinking of trying it.

What it is

Evening primrose oil comes from the seeds of Oenothera biennis, a plant native to the Americas. It contains omega-6 fats, including gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).¹

It is sold mainly as capsules. People take it for menopause symptoms, premenstrual symptoms, breast pain and eczema.¹

What the research shows

The NIH center for complementary health says there is not enough evidence to support evening primrose oil for any health condition. This includes menopause symptoms.¹

The Menopause Society reviewed it in 2023 and does not recommend it for hot flashes. More broadly, it does not recommend supplements or herbal remedies for hot flashes.⁴ In one 6-month trial of 56 women, hot flashes fell by 1 a day with the oil but by 2.6 a day with placebo.³

For breast pain, the oil is probably no better than placebo. Taken by mouth, it has not been shown to help eczema.¹ Mayo Clinic says research has not found that it treats any condition.²

Evidence is also too thin to judge its use for premenstrual symptoms or rheumatoid arthritis. Studies of its use to start labor have given mixed results.¹

Mayo Clinic mentions one trial comparing evening primrose oil with fennel for menopause problems. It does not say this trial changed the overall picture.²

Safety and who should be careful

It is probably safe for most adults for short periods. Side effects are usually mild, such as stomach upset, loose stools and headache.^1,2

Mayo Clinic advises caution in several groups:²

People with a bleeding disorder, or who take blood thinners or anti-platelet medicines, because it may raise bleeding risk.
People having surgery, who are advised to stop it two weeks before.
People with epilepsy or schizophrenia, or who take phenothiazine medicines, because it may raise seizure risk.
People with hormone-sensitive cancers, because some forms may act like estrogen.

It may also interact with some medicines broken down by the liver, such as certain statins and HIV drugs.²

A doctor or pharmacist can check whether it interacts with any medicines or other supplements you take.

How it is available

Evening primrose oil is sold over the counter as a supplement in many countries.¹ Rules on supplements differ by country. Product strength and quality differ between brands.

The bottom line

Evening primrose oil is popular, but research has not found it works for hot flashes, breast pain or eczema.^1,2

In the one menopause trial the Menopause Society reviewed, placebo did better than the oil.³ It also carries some cautions, especially around bleeding and seizures.²

If hot flashes bother you, see hormone therapy, non-hormonal prescription treatments or CBT for menopause.

What it is used for: evidence rated

Option	Evidence	What the research shows
Hot flashes	Weak evidence	One 6-month trial of 56 women found it did worse than placebo; The Menopause Society does not recommend it.³
Breast pain	Weak evidence	Probably no better than placebo, according to the NIH center for complementary health.¹
Dry skin and eczema	Weak evidence	Taken by mouth, it has not been shown to help eczema.^1,2

Ratings explained: how we rate. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting a medicine or supplement.