Menopause marks the end of menstruation. As a woman approaches menopause, the ovaries stop producing the female sex hormone, estrogen, which may cause symptoms including mood swings, weight gain and hot flashes. For some, these conditions are difficult to cope with. Hormone replacement therapy helps to alleviate symptoms, but the University of Maryland Medical Center notes that long-term HRT may increase the risk of cancer and stroke. Some herbal products may also help to alleviate menopausal symptoms, although scientific evidence to prove this is mixed. Talk with a health care professional before using herbs to treat your menopause symptoms.
Examples
Several herbs may help to alleviate menopausal symptoms. These include red clover and black cohosh. Red clover is used as a complementary medicine for a number of conditions, including cancer, hypertension and eczema. It contains compounds known as isoflavones which may exert estrogen-like effects. Black cohosh, a member of the buttercup family, has been used as treatment for rheumatism and premenstrual syndrome, but the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine notes that it is primarily used to alleviate menopausal symptoms.
Administration
You can take black cohosh and red clover in capsules, tablets, or as herbal tinctures. The UMMC website states that taking 20 mg black cohosh twice daily may help to alleviate hot flashes, depression and mood swings. The Mississippi Baptist Health Systems website notes that a typical dosage of red clover extract provides 40 mg to 160 mg of isoflavones, the herb's active ingredients, but adds that taking 80 mg daily may be enough to reduce menopausal symptoms.
Effectiveness
Evidence showing red clover and black cohosh can alleviate menopausal symptoms is inconclusive. The results of a study published in the November 2009 issue of "Menopause" show that compared with a placebo, black cohosh and red clover did not reduce menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats. In contrast, research published in the February 2007 issue of "Gynecological Endocrinology" found that a herbal complex containing black cohosh and red clover relieved hot flashes and sleep problems in menopausal women. However, black cohosh and red clover were combined with other herbs, so it is impossible to determine whether black cohosh and red clover have the same effects when used alone.
Safety Considerations
Although red clover is listed on the FDA's generally recognized as safe list, it may not be suitable for everyone. For example, women with hormone-sensitive cancers like breast or uterine cancer should not take red clover. Black cohosh may not be safe as its use has been linked with liver problems. More common side effects may include stomach discomfort and headache. Like red cohosh, it is unsuitable for women with hormonal cancers.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Menopause; Nov. 20, 2009
- Baptist Health Systems: Red Clover; 2004
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Black Cohosh; July 2010
- "Menopause"; Safety and Efficacy of Black Cohosh and Red Clover for the Management of Vasomotor Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial; S.E. Geller, et al.; November 2009
- "Gynecological Endocrinology"; Phyto-Female Complex for the Relief of Hot Flushes, Night Sweats and Quality of Sleep: Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study; C. Rotem, et al.; February 2007
- RxList: Red Clover
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