Menopause signals the end of menstruation and fertility and occurs when the ovaries stop producing the hormone, estrogen. Menopause is a natural event rather than an ailment, but some women experience a number of symptoms including night sweats, sleep problems and hot flashes in the lead up time before menopause. Some women find these symptoms distressing and may be offered hormone replacement therapy. Black cohosh is an herb that may also help alleviate symptoms, although evidence to prove it works is mixed. Get medical advice before taking it as it may cause side effects or interact with other medicines.
Properties and Administration
Black cohosh, or Cimicifuga racemosa, is a member of the buttercup family of plants. Its roots are used to make herbal preparations that treat a variety of ailments including premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea and symptoms of menopause. It may have estrogenic effects, although the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that this has not been confirmed. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests taking 20mg twice daily to relieve menopausal symptoms, but this dose is only a guideline. Ask your doctor what is right for you.
Efficacy
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that it is unclear whether black cohosh relieve symptoms of the menopause. An analysis of clinical trials involving black cohosh published in 2009 in "Drugs and Aging," found that most of the studies had conflicting results, leading the authors, C.Palacio and colleagues to conclude that benefits of black cohosh in the management of menopausal symptoms remains unproven. In contrast, an analysis of clinical trial data published in the January 2010 issue of "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine" found that black cohosh improved symptoms of the menopause by 26 percent.
Safety Considerations
RxList notes that black cohosh is likely safe for most people, but it may cause mild side effects including headache, rash and vaginal spotting. However, RxList adds that this herb has been linked with liver damage, although it is not known whether black cohosh caused this effect. This herb is contraindicated in a number of conditions including hormone-sensitive cancers like breast and ovarian cancer, and liver disease. This herb may interact with other medicines including cisplatin and atorvastatin.
Other Herbal Options
Other herbs that may help alleviate menopausal symptoms including red clover and Asian ginseng, although scientific evidence to prove they work is limited. Like black cohosh, these herbs may cause side effects and may not be suitable for everyone. For example, Asian ginseng may cause breast pain, mood changes and vaginal bleeding and is not suitable for people with diabetes or a heart condition. Get medical advice before treating menopausal symptoms with herbs.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Menopause
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Black Cohosh
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Black Cohosh
- PubMed.gov: Black Cohosh for the Management of Menopausal Symptoms : A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials
- PubMed.gov: Efficacy of Black Cohosh-Containing Preparations on Menopausal Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis
- RxList: Black Cohosh
