Research has shown that Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) may benefit men’s health by enhancing testosterone levels;¹ however Fenugreek also has a long history of use for women’s well-being. This may seem contradictory, as higher testosterone is not always beneficial for women. However, research shows that the effects of Fenugreek on women’s hormones is different to its effects on men’s hormones, and furthermore may depend on women’s age, life stage, and other underlying factors.

Traditional Uses ​of Fenugreek for Women

Fenugreek has been used in Persian, Ayurvedic and Northern African herbal traditions for treating a range of women’s conditions including amenorrhea, dysmenorrhoea, and as a galactagogue and an aphrodisiac.² ​

Clinical Evidence on Fenugreek's Efficacy ​

Hormones and Sexual Function in Healthy Premenopausal Women

Two randomised controlled trials have investigated the effects of Fenugreek on sexual function and hormones in healthy premenopausal women. Both studies reported significant improvements in sexual function following Fenugreek supplementation. This was accompanied by significant increases in both oestradiol and testosterone. Interestingly, one of the studies found that the increase in testosterone was greatest in women with initially low testosterone, while those with a normal baseline testosterone level had only small increases at the end of the study.^3,4

Body Composition

A randomised controlled trial found that supplementation with Fenugreek seed extract significantly increased muscle strength and lean mass, and reduced fat mass, in healthy premenopausal women when compared with placebo. No effect on testosterone or other hormones were seen in this study.⁵

Dysmenorrhea

Research supports Fenugreek's effectiveness in reducing menstrual pain, with studies demonstrating significant pain relief similar to that achieved with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug mefenamic acid.² ​

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Several trials have found significant benefits from supplementation of Fenugreek in women with PCOS, including reduced ovarian cysts, normalisation of the menstrual cycle, and improvements in symptoms such as hirsutism.^6-9 Hormonally, improvements in the ratio of luteinising hormone to follicle stimulating hormone (LH:FSH ratio) were observed, along with significant reductions in testosterone levels in this group. Since elevated testosterone is a key factor of PCOS, this is an important finding. Several of the studies also found improvements in metabolic parameters including fasting blood glucose, insulin, and cholesterol. Improvements in insulin resistance may mediate the reduction in testosterone seen in these studies.

Breast Feeding

Fenugreek has traditionally been used as a galactagogue, and several studies support this use. Several case reports and two clinical trials reported increased milk production, milk intake and weight gain in infants following maternal Fenugreek supplementation.²

Menopause

Fenugreek has shown promise in alleviating menopausal symptoms, including hot flushes, psychological symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia, and sexual dysfunction, in several clinical trials.² In the studies that measured hormones, Fenugreek supplementation significantly reduced follicle stimulating hormone, and significantly increased both progesterone and testosterone levels.

Conclusion

Fenugreek is a valuable herbal remedy for women across the lifespan. Fenugreek’s effects on hormones, especially testosterone, depends on the life-stage and baseline levels of the individual woman. This suggests that Fenugreek has a modulating or normalising effects on testosterone in women. This makes it a valuable addition to the women’s health range.

References

1. Mansoori A, Hosseini S, Zilaee M, Hormoznejad R, Fathi M. Effect of Fenugreek extract supplement on testosterone levels in male: A meta‐analysis of clinical trials. Phytotherapy Research. 2020 Jul;34(7):1550-5. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6627

2. Akhtari E, Ram M, Zaidi SM, Marques AM, Rahimi R, Bahramsoltani R. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) in Women’s Health: A Review of Clinical Evidence and Traditional Use. Journal of Herbal Medicine. 2024 Feb 1;43:100816. DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2023.100816

3. Khanna A, Thomas J, John F, Maliakel B, Krishnakumar IM. Safety and influence of a novel extract of fenugreek on healthy young women: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Clinical Phytoscience. 2021 Jul 13;7(1):63. DOI: 10.1186/s40816-021-00296-y

4. Rao A, Steels E, Beccaria G, Inder WJ, Vitetta L. Influence of a specialized Trigonella foenum‐graecum seed extract (libifem), on testosterone, estradiol and sexual function in healthy menstruating women, a randomised placebo controlled study. Phytotherapy Research. 2015 Aug;29(8):1123-30. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5355

5. Rao A, Clayton P, Briskey D. Libifem®(Trigonella foenum-graecum) in conjunction with exercise on muscle strength, power, endurance, and body composition in females aged between 25 and 45 years. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 2023 Aug 11;5:1207013. DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1207013

6. Swaroop A, Jaipuriar AS, Gupta SK, Bagchi M, Kumar P, Preuss HG, Bagchi D. Efficacy of a novel fenugreek seed extract (Trigonella foenum-graecum, FurocystTM) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). International journal of medical sciences. 2015 Oct 3;12(10):825. DOI:10.7150/ijms.13024

7. Singh A, Gainder S, Banerjee P, Goel A, Kumar P, Mondal B, Banik SP, Bagchi D. Efficacy of a proprietary fenugreek seed extract (Trigonella foenum-graecum, furocyst®) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Journal of the american nutrition association. 2023 Oct 3;42(7):651-9. DOI: 10.1080/27697061.2022.2126410

8. Sankhwar P, Jaiswar SP, Yadav S, Awasthi V, Goel A, Kumar P, Banik SP, Bagchi M, Bagchi D. Beneficial effects of a novel fenugreek seed extract (Trigonella foenum-graecum, furocyst®) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A follow-up compliance clinical investigation. Journal of the American nutrition association. 2023 Oct 3;42(7):691-9. DOI: 10.1080/27697061.2022.2145526

9. Jaipuriar AS, Gupta SK, Lamgora G. Clinical evaluation of standardized fenugreek seed extract as furostanolic saponins (Furocyst) in polycystic ovary syndrome patients. J Gynecol Reprod Med. 2018;2:1-5.