Compare men's and women's multivitamins, menopause-marketed formulas, prenatal vitamins and herbal products on what each daily dose actually contains, the amount of each nutrient against its NRV, and the cost per day. No food supplement in the UK is allowed to say it balances hormones, so we show you which nutrient claims are authorised, and when to speak to your GP instead.
Men's vitamins · Women's vitamins · Pregnancy & prenatal vitamins · Products marketed for testosterone · Adaptogens · All vitamins & supplements
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Do hormone balance supplements work?
No supplement sold in the UK is authorised to claim that it balances hormones. A few authorised claims mention hormones, including the zinc and vitamin B6 claims below, but each describes one nutrient's normal role in the body, not a fix for symptoms.
For herbal products sold for menopause, the NHS says remedies such as red clover and black cohosh have very little evidence to show how well they work, or how safe they are. "Where evidence is limited or inconclusive, we should say so openly," says Andy Arshad, who runs SupplementHQ.
Which nutrients have authorised claims linked to hormones?
Three authorised claims on the GB register of permitted health claims are relevant here, and each may be used only for a product that is at least a source of that nutrient. A "source of" claim needs at least a significant amount of the vitamin or mineral, which the labelling rules set at 15% of the NRV (Nutrient Reference Value) per 100g, or per portion in a single-portion pack.
| Nutrient | Authorised wording (exact) | NRV |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc | "Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood" | 10mg |
| Zinc | "Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction" | 10mg |
| Vitamin B6 | "Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity" | 1.4mg |
These are claims about zinc and vitamin B6, not about any blend that contains them. A formula sold as a "testosterone booster" can only use the zinc wording if it contains enough zinc, and the claim still says nothing about the other ingredients. Browse zinc supplements.
What's the difference between men's and women's multivitamins?
The main difference is usually iron. The NHS says men aged 19 and over need 8.7mg of iron a day, women aged 19 to 49 need 14.8mg, and women aged 50 and over need 8.7mg.
Beyond that, the label matters more than the pack. Compare the amount of each nutrient per daily dose against its NRV, whoever the product is marketed at. Our guide to reading a supplement label explains how.
What should you do if you think you have low testosterone?
See your GP. The NHS says a GP can check your symptoms, and blood tests are used to measure testosterone levels; if a deficiency is confirmed, testosterone replacement may be offered.
The NHS also says testosterone levels fall by about 1% a year from around the age of 30 to 40, which is unlikely to cause problems on its own, and that lifestyle factors such as lack of sleep, a poor diet, lack of exercise, alcohol and smoking can be responsible for many of the same symptoms.
Are there supplements for menopause and perimenopause?
We stock products marketed for perimenopause and menopause, but none is authorised to relieve symptoms. The NHS advises contacting your GP if you think you have symptoms of menopause or perimenopause and want to know what your options are.
The NHS also warns that some herbal remedies and complementary medicines can cause serious side effects when taken with other medicines. If you take any medication, check with your GP or pharmacist before adding a herbal product.
What vitamins should you take when trying for a baby?
The NHS advises 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, from before you're pregnant until you're 12 weeks pregnant, and 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day. It also says not to take cod liver oil or any supplement containing vitamin A (retinol) when you're pregnant.
Speak to your midwife or GP about what you need. Browse pregnancy and prenatal vitamins.
What are adaptogens such as ashwagandha?
"Adaptogen" is a marketing term for herbs such as ashwagandha. In this range that means mostly ashwagandha, including gummies, and the amount of herb per daily dose varies between products, so check the label.
"Adding more ingredients doesn't automatically make a product more effective. Each ingredient needs a clear purpose, an appropriate dose and evidence supporting its intended use," says Andy. If you're pregnant or take medication, speak to your GP or pharmacist first.
How do you compare value in this range?
Work out the cost per daily dose, then check how much of each key nutrient that dose gives you against its NRV. Some products need several capsules a day, which changes the maths.
How to compare value (example figures, not real products): a £15 tub of 60 capsules with a daily dose of 3 capsules lasts 20 days and costs 75p a day. A £9 pot of 90 tablets taken once a day costs 10p a day. If both give 10mg of zinc (100% NRV) per daily dose, the second costs less than a seventh as much per day for the same zinc.
One product in this range is a pre-workout, and pre-workouts usually contain caffeine, so check the label. EFSA says single doses of up to 200mg and up to 400mg a day for healthy adults do not raise safety concerns, and up to 200mg a day in pregnancy.
We sell the products on this page. That's our commercial interest, and it's why we show the evidence alongside them. This page is general information for adults, not personalised medical advice. Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet.
Written by Andy Arshad, SupplementHQ. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.