🌿 Red Clover for Bladder Control After Menopause | Natural Remedies

🌿 Can Red Clover Help with Bladder Control After Menopause?

Name: Helen Kremer-Williams. The Olive Branch Plymouth
Price range: $

Understanding Overactive Bladder in Midlife

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common issue for many women. Bladder control can be especially affected after menopause. Symptoms include needing to rush to the loo, waking at night to urinate, and, in some cases, accidental leaks. Understandably, it can have a big impact on day-to-day comfort, confidence, and sleep.

Many women I see at The Olive Branch Plymouth experience these symptoms — and often want natural ways to manage bladder control after the menopause..

Could Red Clover Be the Answer to Bladder Control?

Red clover is a flowering plant rich in isoflavones — natural compounds that mimic oestrogen in the body. It’s commonly used to ease hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms. But can it help with bladder control?

A new clinical trial, published in the journal Nutrients (2023), looked at whether fermented red clover extract could reduce overactive bladder symptoms in postmenopausal women. The study was randomised, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled — the gold standard of clinical research.

👉 read the full study here

What Did the Study Find?

The women in the study took either red clover extract or a placebo for 3 months. They kept bladder diaries and filled out detailed questionnaires about their symptoms.

The Results:

Red clover did not significantly reduce bladder symptoms overall.
However, it did help reduce the feeling of urgency — the need to rush to the toilet — in some women.
Interestingly, the placebo group also reported some improvement, likely due to increased awareness of their bladder habits during the trial.

What This Means for You

This study shows that while red clover may not be a magic bullet, it might still have a role to play — especially if urgency is your main concern. Also, it reminds us that lifestyle awareness (like tracking your fluid intake and urination patterns) can sometimes help on its own.

As a therapist specialising in natural therapies for women’s health and wellbeing, I know every woman is different. What works for one might not work for another — and that’s okay.

A Holistic Approach to Bladder Health

Whether you’re experiencing urgency, frequency, or night-time waking, there are gentle, natural ways to support your bladder health. Treatments like reflexology and aromatherapy massage may ease nervous tension and support hormonal balance, which can indirectly help the bladder too.

Here at The Olive Branch Plymouth, I offer a peaceful, welcoming space in Elburton, Plymouth — exclusively for women. You can explore treatments like:

Final Thoughts

Red clover might offer a small piece of the puzzle — but it’s not a stand-alone fix. If you’re navigating bladder symptoms after menopause, a holistic, supportive approach is key. You deserve to feel confident and comfortable in your own body.

If you’d like to chat about natural options that might support you, feel free to get in touch or book a treatment online.