Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause, a biological process that usually occurs when a woman is in her early 50s. Menopausal symptoms, which may also include night sweats, weight gain and mood swings, occur when the ovaries stop producing the hormone estrogen. Some women cope well with the effects of menopause, but others find menopausal symptoms difficult to live with. Although hormone replacement therapy helps alleviate hot flashes, the University of Maryland Medical Center says that it may bring more risks than benefits. The herb black cohosh may also help alleviate hot flashes, but talk to your doctor before using it.
Properties
Also known as Cimicifuga racemosa, black cohosh is a member of the buttercup family that may help alleviate menopausal symptoms. It is also used as a sedative and to relieve painful menstruation, and may enhance bone formation in people suffering from osteoporosis. It contains a number of active compounds, some of which may work in a similar way to estrogen. However, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center says that evidence to prove this is mixed.
Dose
Black cohosh may be taken as a tea or herbal tincture and is also available in tablets and capsules. UMMC suggests taking lack 20 mg twice daily to help reduce menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes. However, RxList says that you may take up to 80 mg daily. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to know if these dosages are suitable for you.
Effectiveness
Evidence to prove black cohosh can alleviate hot flashes is mixed. The results of a clinical study that included 21 menopausal women, published in "Cancer Investigation" in 2004 show that black cohosh, on average, reduced daily hot flash frequency by 50 percent, while weekly hot flash frequency fell by 56 percent. In contrast, the results of a trial published in the June 2006 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Oncology" found no evidence to suggest that black cohosh reduces hot flashes more than placebo.
Safety Considerations
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center says that black cohosh should only be used under medical supervision because of its potential estrogen-like effects. RxList adds that this herb appears to be safe for most women, although it may cause stomach upset, headache and vaginal bleeding. It has been linked with several cases of liver damage, but RxList says that it is unclear whether black cohosh was responsible. Use of black cohosh is contraindicated in several conditions, including uterine fibroids and hormone-sensitive cancers like breast or uterine cancer.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Menopause
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Black Cohosh
- RxList: Black Cohosh
- Cancer Investigation: Pilot Evaluation of Black Cohosh for the Treatment of Hot Flashes in Women
- Journal of Clinical Oncology: Phase III Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial of Black Cohosh in the Management of Hot Flashes: NCCTG Trial N01CC1
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