Menopause is emotional and physical change that usually happens when a woman is in her early 50s. It occurs when the ovaries stop producing eggs and estrogen and progesterone levels fall. In the lead-up to the menopause, some women experience a variety of symptoms, including hot flashes, fatigue, night sweats, depression and mood swings. Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, may help to alleviate symptoms, but it may increase the risk of breast cancer and heart disease. As such, some women may turn to more natural remedies. Black cohosh may help alleviate menopausal symptoms, but evidence to prove that it is effective is mixed. Get medical advice before using this herb.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Black cohosh, a member of the buttercup family, is sometimes used to treat arthritis, osteoporosis, fatigue and painful menstruation. However, the Mississippi Baptist Health Systems website states that its main use is for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. It contains a host of biologically active compounds, including phytosterols, isoflavones and triterpene glycoside. It may have estrogen-like effects, although Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center says that evidence to prove this is conflicting.
Administration
Black cohosh may be taken as a tea or herbal tincture or in tablets. The Mississippi Baptist Health Systems website suggests taking 20 mg of black cohosh standardized to contain 1 mg of 27-deoxyactein, this herb's active compound, twice daily. However, this is only a guideline. Check with your doctor or pharmacist whether this dose is likely to be safe and effective for you.
Scientific Evidence
Evidence to support the use of black cohosh as a treatment for menopausal symptoms is mixed. For example, the results of a double-blind placebo-controlled study published in the March 2003 issue of "Maturitas" found that black cohosh was as effective as estrogen in reducing menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats. However, a retrospective analysis of data from clinical trials published in 2009 in "Drugs and Aging" concludes that the benefits of black cohosh as a treatment of menopausal symptoms are unproven.
Safety Considerations
The Mississippi Baptist Health Systems website states that black cohosh is unlikely to cause side effects beyond the occasional stomach upset. However, RxList notes that its use has been linked with several cases of liver damage, although it is unclear whether black cohosh caused these effects. Nevertheless, its use is contraindicated in liver disease. Women suffering from a hormone-dependent cancer, such as breast or ovarian cancer, should also avoid this herb.
References
- BBC Health: Menopause
- Mississippi Baptist Health Systems: Black Cohosh
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Black Cohosh
- "Maturitas"; The Cimicifuga Preparation BNO 1055 vs. Conjugated Estrogens in a Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study: Effects on Menopause Symptoms and Bone Markers; W. Wuttke et al.; March 2003
- "Drugs and Aging"; Black Cohosh for the Management of Menopausal Symptoms: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials; C. Palacio et al., 2006
- RxList: Black Cohosh
