Hormones
The latest from Hormones on Vitalspell.
Perimenopause heart risk may rise before menopause ends
Perimenopause heart risk may start climbing before menopause is complete, with new data tying the transition to worse lipid and glucose scores.
Can gut bacteria predict bone loss in hyperparathyroidism?
Gut bacteria may flag bone loss in hyperparathyroidism, but the new Bone Research paper is still an early risk signal, not probiotic advice.
Can ashwagandha lower cortisol? What the 2026 evidence says
Can ashwagandha lower cortisol? A 2026 review found a real biomarker signal, but stress relief was less consistent and extract quality still mattered.
Seaweed for thyroid health: what the iodine evidence says
Seaweed for thyroid health sounds simple, but studies show iodine content varies widely and excess intake can push thyroid markers the wrong way.
Do thyroid support supplements actually help? What the evidence says
Evidence for thyroid support supplements is narrow: selenium may help some Hashimoto's patients, myo-inositol has limited data, and some products contain thyroid hormone.
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Can Allegra and Pepcid ease PMDD and menopause symptoms?
Allegra and Pepcid for menopause and PMDD has a plausible histamine rationale, but evidence is thin and standard PMDD treatments still have stronger support.
Can creatine help during menopause? What the evidence says
Creatine is being pitched as a menopause fix, but the research is narrower: strongest signals are for exercise-linked muscle and bone outcomes, with one small 2026 trial hinting at cognitive benefits.
The Lancet Just Renamed PCOS. For 170 Million Women, It Changes Everything
After 14 years of global consensus-building, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome has been renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome. The new name captures what the condition actually is — and why 70 percent of affected individuals remain undiagnosed.
Ashwagandha and multi-herb formula both reduced stress in 60-day trial
A 186-person randomized controlled trial published in Trials found that a full-spectrum ashwagandha root extract and a multi-herb adaptogen blend each reduced perceived stress significantly more than placebo over 60 days, with the ashwagandha formula showing the larger effect. Sleep quality, restorative sleep, anxiety, and fatigue also improved, while mental alertness was unchanged.
Vitex agnus-castus improved oxidative stress markers and insulin resistance in PCOS trial
A 12-week randomized controlled trial of 60 women with PCOS found that 5.8 mg daily of standardized Vitex agnus-castus extract improved antioxidant capacity, reduced insulin resistance, and lowered hirsutism scores compared to placebo. The trial was published in JBRA Assisted Reproduction in January 2026.
Soy isoflavones cut severe hot flashes by 92% in 12-week trial
A secondary analysis of a randomized trial found that a low-fat vegan diet supplemented with soybeans reduced severe hot flashes by 92% in postmenopausal women, with daidzein emerging as the main independent predictor. The reduction was not mediated by weight loss.
Saffron and ginseng improve erectile function, meta-analysis of 14 trials finds
A 2025 systematic review of 14 randomized trials found that saffron and ginseng consistently improved erectile function, while Tribulus terrestris and maca lacked sufficient evidence. The analysis, covering 1,227 men, is the most comprehensive assessment of herbal ED supplements to date.
Resveratrol for menopause: less pain, stronger bones, no cognitive benefit
A 2025 meta-analysis of 10 RCTs with 928 postmenopausal women found resveratrol reduced pain and a bone resorption marker, but cognition, mood, sleep, and metabolism were unaffected.
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