Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT

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Moderate evidenceWomen's health

S-Equol

The active soy metabolite that only about a third of people produce themselves. Supplementing it reduces hot flashes modestly, with the clearest signal in women who cannot make their own.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

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What the science says

  • Hot flash frequency Moderate evidence

    A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials concluded that equol supplementation reduces hot flashes in postmenopausal women. The pooled effect is modest and rests on a small number of trials.

  • Benefit concentrated in equol non-producers Limited evidence

    A pilot study comparing S-equol with conventional soy isoflavones found the effect on hot flash frequency was most apparent in women who do not produce equol from soy themselves. This is a plausible but under-tested hypothesis.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTrials have used 10-30 mg of S-equol daily, most often 10 mg once or twice a day for 8-12 weeks.
SafetyWell tolerated in trials of up to a year, with mild digestive complaints most common. Because it is an estrogen receptor beta agonist, women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer or on tamoxifen should consult their oncologist before use. Not for pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Scientific references

Where to buy

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