Women's health
On women’s-specific questions, only a few small human studies exist — for example on premenstrual symptoms, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hormonal, sex-dependent responses — supplemented by predominantly preclinical investigations in animal and cell models.
The studies mainly tested hydrogen-rich water and inhalation of H₂ gas. Endpoints were symptom and quality-of-life measures as well as hormonal and inflammatory markers.
The available findings are isolated and preliminary, with small participant numbers and short durations. They do not permit any firm statements about a clinical benefit in women’s health; molecular hydrogen is no substitute for medical treatment.
Human studies on molecular hydrogen for Women's health. This page collects the 14 studies catalogued in this area — 2 randomized trials, 3 pilot/observational studies and 3 reviews. Listed newest first.
2021 · Zhang et al. — Hydrogen Gas: A Novel Type of Antioxidant in Modulating Sexual Organs Homeostasis.
Molecular hydrogen (H₂) appears to benefit reproductive health in both males and females — from improving sperm motility and erectile function to protecting ovarian function and reducing uterine inflammation — acting primarily through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
2021 · Shaik et al. — An Overview of Ovarian Cancer: Molecular Processes Involved and Development of Target-based Chemotherapeutics.
Ovarian cancer remains one of the deadliest gynaecological cancers, with most patients diagnosed at an advanced stage; this review surveys the molecular processes driving the disease and the development of targeted chemotherapeutics to address them.
2020 · Benoit — Molecular Hydrogen Metabolism: a Widespread Trait of Pathogenic Bacteria and Protists
Over 200 known pathogens carry genes for hydrogenases — enzymes that let bacteria consume or produce H₂ gas as part of their energy metabolism.
2026 · Grepl — Sixty-minute inhalation of molecular hydrogen decreases blood oxygen saturation but does not alter autonomic cardiac regulation at rest in healthy females: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study
One hour of H₂ inhalation at rest lowers blood oxygen saturation minimally (95.9% vs. 96.7%, p ≤ 0.007) without altering autonomic cardiac regulation.
1991 · Slemenda et al. — No evidence for an effect of lactase deficiency on bone mass in pre- or postmenopausal women
In 342 adult female twins, lactase deficiency showed no detectable negative effect on bone mass at any skeletal site.
2025 · Yin — Research on the Inhibitory Effect of Hydrogen Gas on Ovarian Cancer and Potential Mechanisms
Hydrogen gas inhibited ovarian cancer cell viability, migration, and invasion, promoted apoptosis, and reduced tumour size in both cell and animal experiments by modulating oxidative stress markers and suppressing key oncogenic proteins (HIF-1α, NF-κB p65).
2023 · Makav — The effect of hydrogen-rich water on letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in rats
In a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), drinking hydrogen-rich water significantly reduced cyst numbers, lowered oxidative stress markers (MDA, cortisol, testosterone), and increased the antioxidant glutathione.
2023 · Meng — Hydrogen-rich water treatment targets RT1-Db1 and RT1-Bb to alleviate premature ovarian failure in rats
In a cyclophosphamide-induced rat model of premature ovarian failure (POF), hydrogen-rich water restored hormonal markers (higher AMH and estradiol, lower FSH), reduced ovarian cell death, and — through proteomic analysis — identified two novel molecular targets, RT1-Db1 and RT1-Bb, potentially mediating H₂'s protective effect.
2019 · Wu — Hydrogen gas protects against ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis by inhibiting NF-κB activation.
In mice with surgically induced estrogen deficiency (ovariectomy model of postmenopausal osteoporosis), inhalation of 60 % molecular hydrogen (H₂) markedly reduced bone loss.
2014 · Mano et al. — Maternal molecular hydrogen administration ameliorates rat fetal hippocampal damage caused by in utero ischemia-reperfusion.
In this rat study, pregnant mothers that drank hydrogen-saturated water passed measurable H₂ to the placenta, which protected fetal hippocampal neurons from ischemia-reperfusion injury — and improved the learning and memory of the offspring at 8 weeks of age.
2005 · Maier — Use of molecular hydrogen as an energy substrate by human pathogenic bacteria
Several pathogenic bacteria — including Helicobacter pylori (stomach), Helicobacter hepaticus (liver), and Salmonella — can use molecular hydrogen (H₂) produced in the gut as a respiratory fuel, and this ability significantly enhances their capacity to colonise and cause disease in animals.