A woman has reached menopause once she has not menstruated for one year according to the U.K. National Health Services' website, NHS Choices. It usually occurs when a woman reaches her early fifties. In the lead-up to the menopause, levels of estrogen start to fall which may cause symptoms that some women find to difficult to deal with, such as hot flashes and night sweats. If you find you cannot cope with menopausal symptoms, your doctor may prescribe hormone replacement therapy or a synthetic hormone that has the same effects as hormone replacement therapy. Many women also use the herb black cohosh to alleviate menopausal symptoms including hot flashes. Consult your doctor before using it.
Characteristics
Black cohosh, sometimes known as rattleweed or bugwort, is a member of the buttercup family, and according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine was used as a medicinal remedy by the Native Americans. The rhizomes and roots are the parts of the plant used to make herbal supplements.
Use
Black cohosh may be taken as tea, as a liquid extract or in capsules or tablets. Drugs.com advises that standardized formulations of black cohosh may offer a more reliable dose of the herb. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests taking 20 mg twice daily to relieve menopausal symptoms. However, this is only a guideline. Talk to your doctor about the right dose and treatment schedule for you.
Efficacy
Black cohosh may work in a similar way to estrogen and could have the same benefits such as reducing hot flashes and vaginal dryness, notes UMMC. A review of clinical data on the effects of black cohosh in menopausal symptoms, published in the January 2010 issue of "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine" found that it reduced menopausal symptoms by 26 percent. However, NCCAM believes that overall, evidence to prove that black cohosh can effectively relief menopausal symptoms, is mixed.
Side Effects
Large doses of black cohosh may cause side effects including visual disturbances, dizziness and sezures; however, theraputic doses may only cause stomach discomfort, notes Drugs.com. Black cohosh has been linked to several cases of hepatitis and liver failure, although NCCAM notes that it is unclear whether black cohosh was responsible for these effects.
Contraindications
Do not take black cohosh if you have ever had breast cancer as it may stimulate breast cancer cell growth, notes Drugs.com. You should also avoid this herb if you have any form of liver disorder due to the potential risk of liver-related side effects from black cohosh.
