Women's brains and ovaries produce estrogen, the hormone that regulates the development of female sex characteristics, including regulating the menstrual cycle, preparing the body for pregnancy and developing breasts. Estrogen is unique to animals, but some plants contain compounds that deliver estrogen-like effects. It's possible that black cohosh might be one of them.
Identification
Researchers aren't sure whether black cohosh contains phytoestrogens--plant-based chemical substances that act like the hormone estrogen, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Research published in 2003 in the International Journal of Oncology found that black cohosh didn't register on several different estrogen measurement scales, but those scales were designed to measure hormonal estrogen. Black cohosh does contain sugar compounds and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Significance
Black cohosh's estrogenic effects matter because estrogen may contribute to risk for certain kinds of cancer, especially breast and uterine cancers. According to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements, studies of black cohosh and cancer have given contradictory results. In some research, black cohosh seemed to trigger small increases in the number of cancerous cells, while other research showed a decrease in cancer cells when people used black cohosh. More research is needed.
Effects
Researchers speculate that black cohosh contains an estrogen-like substance because of its effects on menopausal women, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. For some women, using black cohosh seems to mitigate the hot flashes, anxiety, night sweats and vaginal dryness that occur as symptoms of menopause caused by decreased estrogen levels.
Considerations
Most studies looking into the estrogenic effects of black cohosh have focused on menopausal women. That's because women who are going through menopause have lower levels of estrogen and increased levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.
Warning
Using black cohosh has the potential to cause serious liver damage for some people. If you're taking black cohosh for menopausal symptoms or for other reasons and you experience abdominal pain, jaundice or dark urine, discontinue use and see a doctor. Because there's been limited research into the effects of black cohosh on pregnancy, the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements recommends avoiding using black cohosh if you are pregnant.
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