WellnessVerge is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you make a purchase through the links on this page. Learn more about our process here.
Hormone Harmony Review: Possibly Effective, But Jury Is Still Out
Published on June 20, 2023
Medically Reviewed by Natalie Olsen, MS, RDN
Hormone Harmony sure gets a lot of attention online. However, despite its marketing hype and possibly effective ingredients for some menopause symptoms, this product has not been studied for effectiveness and safety.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- Some ingredients in Hormone Harmony have promising research showing benefits in managing menopause symptoms, including reducing hot flashes and stress.
- However, most of this supplement’s ingredients are in smaller doses than what has been shown effective in studies.
- The ingredients in Hormone Harmony are generally considered safe for most people. (See our Safety section below for additional guidance.)
- This product is more expensive than its alternatives. Because menopause symptoms can persist for years, the long-term cost of using this product can add up.
- A healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a nutritious diet is likely more important to help you manage your menopause symptoms than a supplement.
What Hormone Harmony Gets Right
- Some of the individual ingredients show possible relief from common menopausal symptoms
- Contains one ingredient that may help support weight management
- Free of drugs and hormones
- The supplement is non-GMO and free from gluten, dairy, and sugar
Important Considrations
- The formulation has not been studied as a whole for long-term benefit and safety
- Most of the ingredients are likely underdosed
- Slightly gimmicky marketing messages
- Considerably more expensive than alternative products
Hormone Harmony at a Glance
Around two-thirds of women experience varying degrees of symptoms related to menopause. Additionally, hormone shifts can cause many menopausal women to accumulate unwanted belly fat. (1) Although hormone and drug therapy are considered the primary treatment to reduce menopause symptoms, more and more women are turning to botanicals and dietary supplements in hopes of a natural solution.
This is where Happy Mammoth comes in. It is an Australian-based wellness company offering a variety of gut and hormone support supplements. The company was founded by brothers Matthew and James Murphy in 2017.
Its flagship product, Hormone Harmony, is offered as a “natural” way to manage your hormones and reduce menopause symptoms. It contains a unique formula of 12 ingredients and is meant to be taken once a day with a meal (a single dose is three capsules).
Hormone Harmony may possibly be an effective product. However, one thing that stood out to us is that Happy Mammoth constantly changes its product page messaging, often making several hyped-up claims without much support. The best supplement brands we evaluated generally do not go down this route.
Cost and Buying Options
Hormone Harmony can be purchased directly from the brand’s website as a one-time purchase or through a subscription model (which saves you 20%). The pricing is as follows:
One-Time Purchase |
Subscription |
|
---|---|---|
1 Jar |
$70 |
$56 |
2 Jars |
$120 ($60/bottle) |
$96 ($48/bottle) |
6 Jars |
$300 ($50/bottle) |
$240 ($40/bottle) |
The Research Behind Hormone Harmony Ingredients
Hormone Harmony uses 12 botanical ingredients, most of which have research supporting their benefits in alleviating menopausal symptoms, including reducing hot flashes, stress and anxiety, supporting weight loss, and improving sleep. However, some of the ingredients in this supplement are in smaller amounts than what was used in the studies. Still, synergistically, the ingredients in this supplement together may help provide relief. Here is a break down of each of the 12 ingredients:
- Fennel Seed Extract: One study showed that fennel seed extract helped significantly reduce menopausal symptoms after 8 weeks of taking 2 grams daily. That’s considerably more than what’s present in a daily serving size of Hormone Harmony. (2)
- Maca Root Extract: Studies do show that maca root extract helped improve menopause symptoms, night sweating, and hot flashes in particular. Researchers concluded, however, that more long-term research should be done. (3, 4)
- Chamomile Extract: Traditionally used to help promote relaxation and sleep. Studies have shown chamomile has helped people fall asleep. This may be useful since people experiencing menopause tend to have difficulty falling and staying asleep. (5)
- Broccoli Sprout Extract: Although highly nutritious and often presented as a vegetable that is helpful to women experiencing menopause, there isn’t much research on broccoli for menopausal symptom relief available today.
- Berberine Extract: A compound found in the bark of the barberry plant. Some clinical trials have found that it may help promote fat loss and improve blood sugar control. However, the amount used in studies was significantly more than what Hormone Harmony contains. (6, 7)
- Chaste Tree Fruit Extract: A popular herbal supplement, also known as Vitex agnus-castus. Many studies on using chaste tree for relieving menopausal symptoms were done through topical form and not so much through oral supplementation. One small study showed that vitex agnus-castus helped decrease irritability, mood swings, and headaches in women experiencing PMS. But more robust research is needed. (8)
- American Ginseng Root Extract: An herb commonly used in Chinese medicine. Randomized trials have also revealed the positive effects of American ginseng on focus and energy levels. These studies typically use a dose of 200 mg, and Hormone Harmony contains 150 mg. At this level — with consistent use — you may see some of these benefits when using Hormone Harmony. Additionally, studies showed that ginseng can help improve hot flashes in menopausal women, but more research is needed. (9, 10, 11)
- Gymnema Sylvestre Extract: Known for how it affects blood sugar. It has been used in traditional Indian medicine for treating diabetes. In fact, another name for it is "gurmar" — which means "sugar destroyer" in Hindi. Studies have found that participants who received 300 mg of G. sylvestre extract twice per day for 12 weeks had significant improvements in their blood sugar control, weight, and cholesterol levels. Some research suggests that G. sylvestre can reduce sugar cravings, as well. Hormone Harmony contains only 100 mg of this ingredient, which is lower than the amount used in these studies. (12, 13, 14)
- Ashwagandha Root Extract: Is widely known for its calming effects, which some high-quality randomized controlled trials have confirmed. In one study, 240 mg of ashwagandha daily reduced anxiety, depression, and stress scores compared to a placebo. Hormone Harmony contains 100 mg of ashwagandha, so it may not offer as powerful of an effect. (15)
- Rhodiola Rosea Extract: This ingredient is considered an adaptogen. Studies have shown that R. rosea can help improve symptoms in people experiencing chronic fatigue. (16) Additionally, studies have shown that this ingredient can help reduce anxiety, stress, confusion, and anger and improve mood overall. (17)
- Wild Yam Root Extract: Traditionally, this ingredient has been used to treat menopause symptoms by acting as an alternative to estrogen replacement therapy. However, not much modern-day scientific research supports using wild yam root for such purposes.
- Rosemary Leaf Extract: An herb native to the Mediterranean region and has been traditionally used to help support memory and digestive health. However, apart from studies done on rodents, little research is available on any health benefits.
See Supplement Facts
One serving of Hormone Harmony is 3 capsules, and provides:
- HM5 MenoBalance Complex™ 810 mg: Maca Root Extract 10:1 (Lepidium meyenii) (Root), Broccoli Sprout 20:1 (Brassicaoleracea), Chaste Tree Berry Extract 10:1 (Vitex agnus-castus) (Fruit), AshwagandhaRoot Extract 25:1 (Withania somnifera) (Whole herb), Wild Yam Extract 8:1 (Dioscoreaoppositifolia) (Root).
- HM4 MenoShred Complex™ 775 mg: Fennel Seed Powder Extract 10:1 (Foenicum vulgare) (Seed), Berberine HCI 9:1(Berberis aristata) (Root), Gymnema Extract 4:1 (Gymnema sylvester) (Leaf),Rosemary Extract 8:1 (Rosemarinus officinalis) (Leaf)
- HM3 MenoMood Complex™ 450 mg: Chamomile Extract (Matricaria Chamomilla) (Flower), American Ginseng Extract 8:1(Panax quinquefolius) (Root), Rhodiola Rosea Extract 10:1 (3% Rosavins + 2%Salidroside) (Root)
Happy Mammoth recently rebranded its formulation as a proprietary blend. However, they also have URLs on their site of the same product containing the same ingredients but with a specific break down, showing the dose of each individual ingredient:
- Fennel seed extract: 500 mg
- Maca root extract: 300 mg
- Chamomile extract: 220 mg
- Broccoli sprout extract: 200 mg
- Berberine extract: 150 mg
- Chaste tree fruit extract: 150 mg
- American ginseng root extract: 150 mg
- Gymnema sylvestre extract: 100 mg
- Ashwagandha root extract: 100 mg
- Rhodiola rosea extract: 80 mg
- Wild yam root extract: 60 mg
- Rosemary leaf extract: 25 mg
Safety Considerations
The ingredients in Hormone Harmony are safe for most people. Sometimes, dietary supplements can cause digestive symptoms like nausea or heartburn, but these reactions are typically mild. Hormone Harmony is also non-GMO and free from gluten, dairy, and sugar.
That being said, we recommend speaking to your doctor before taking Hormone Harmony, especially if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are taking any prescription medications (to check for potential drug interactions due to the numerous herbal ingredients present)
- Have diabetes (since this supplement contains ingredients that may affect blood sugar levels)
How Hormone Harmony Compares to Alternatives
Menopause symptoms may last for a number of years, so there are several important factors to consider when looking for an all-natural supplement:
- Are there clinical trials showing effectiveness?
- Are there clinical trials showing long-term safety?
- Are there any known drug interactions? The more ingredients a supplement has, the risk of interactions increases.
- What would be the ongoing cost of using the product?
Keeping these questions in mind, here’s how Hormone Harmony compares to two effective alternatives:
Hormone Harmony | Estroven | Amberen | |
---|---|---|---|
Uses | Relief of common menopause symptoms, including weight gain | Relief of common menopause symptoms | Relief of common menopause symptoms, including weight gain |
Active Ingredients | Fennel Seed Extract, Maca Root Extract, Chamomile Extract, Broccoli Sprout Extract, Berberine Extract, Chaste Tree Fruit Extract, American Ginseng Root Extract, Gymnema Sylvestre Extract, Ashwagandha Root Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Extract, Wild Yam Root Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract | Rhapontic Rhubarb Root Extract | Vitamin E, Ammonium Succinate, Calcium Disuccinate, Monosodium L-Glutamate, Glycine, Magnesium Disuccinate, Zinc Difumarate |
Mechanism | Regulates hormone production | Promotes beneficial estrogen-like activities | Regulates hormone production |
Hormone and Drug Free? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Clinically Proven? | No, there were no clinical studies on Hormone Harmony. | Yes. Large, well-designed studies have shown that Estroven helped significantly reduce common menopause symptoms. | Yes. Smaller, well-designed studies have shown that Amberen helped significantly reduce common menopause symptoms. |
Clinical Studies for Long-Term Safety | No clinical studies | Studies (up to two years) have shown Estroven to be generally safe for long-term use | Studies (up to 90 days) have shown Amberen to be generally safe, longer studies are needed |
How Long to Take to See Relief | No clinical studies | Studies have shown initial relief in 4 weeks | Studies have shown initial relief in 30 days |
Form and Daily Dosage | 3 capsules | 1 caplet | 2 capsules |
Regular Price | $69.99 (24 servings) | $19.99 (28 servings) | $29.99 (30 servings) |
Cost per Daily Serving | $2.92 | $0.71 | $0.99 |
Estimated Annual Cost | $1,065 | $259 | $361 |
Returns | 60 days | 60 days | 60 days |
Purchase | Shop Now | Shop Now | Shop Now |
Hormone Harmony is a uniquely formulated product that may possibly be effective. However, it has not been clinically tested for effectiveness and safety as some of its alternatives. It’s also significantly more expensive.
If you are interested in trying a supplement to manage your menopause symptoms, we recommend discussing Estroven or Amberen with your physician to understand which mechanism of action would be more suitable for you.
At WellnessVerge, we only use reputable sources, including peer-reviewed medical journals and well-respected academic institutions.
- What Is Menopause? | National Institute on Aging:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-menopause - The effect of Fennel seed powder on estradiol levels, menopausal symptoms, and sexual desire in postmenopausal women - PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33110044/ - Hormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (III) Clinical responses of early-postmenopausal women to Maca in double blind, randomized, Placebo-controlled, crossover configuration, outpatient study - PMC:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3614644 - Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Menopause - PMC:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6419242 - Efficacy of Chamomile in the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome: A Systematic Review - PMC:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6970572/ - Berberine and barberry (Berberis vulgaris): A clinical review - PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30637820/ - Lipid-lowering effect of berberine in human subjects and rats - PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22739410 - Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study - PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11159568/ - Effects of Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) on the steady state visually evoked potential during cognitive performance - PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32896022/ - A randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigating the acute and chronic benefits of American Ginseng (Cereboost®) on mood and cognition in healthy young adults, including in vitro investigation of gut microbiota changes as a possible mechanism of action - PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34396468/ - Using ginseng for menopausal women's health care: A systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1744388122000834 - Phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Gymnema sylvestre: an important medicinal plant - PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24511547/ - Effect of Gymnema sylvestre Administration on Glycemic Control, Insulin Secretion, and Insulin Sensitivity in Patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance - PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32460589/ - Consuming Gymnema sylvestre Reduces the Desire for High-Sugar Sweet Foods - PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32290122/ - An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study - PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31517876/ - Rhodiola rosea in Subjects with Prolonged or Chronic Fatigue Symptoms: Results of an Open-Label Clinical Trial - PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28219059/ - The Effects of Rhodiola rosea L. Extract on Anxiety, Stress, Cognition and Other Mood Symptoms - PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26502953/