Remifemin is the trade name of an herbal supplement made in Germany. It consists of an extract of the roots and rhizomes of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), which appears to be effective in treating certain conditions related to menopause. Remifemin, an over-the-counter product, may represent an alternative to hormone replacement therapy or HRT.
Symptoms
Black cohosh is commonly used to treat the symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, mood swings and night sweats. The herb contains compounds such as triterpenes and plant estrogens, the combination of which seem to affect how your body regulates your hormones. Remifemin has been shown to slow bone loss, which is related to the loss of estrogen in postmenopausal women, many of whom develop osteoporosis over time.
Preventing Osteoporosis
Taking Remifemin does not appear to result in side effects common with the use of HRT, such as an increase in estrogen-related cancers. The supplement appears to be effective in preventing osteoporosis and improving symptoms such as the depression and anxiety some women suffer during menopause. Osteoporosis is of particular concern in postmenopausal women because it may lead to fractures of the hip, spine, rib and other bone fractures.
Dosage
The recommended daily dose of Remifemin for treating symptoms of menopause is 40 to 80 mg. The supplement is a standardized preparation that provides you with 20 mg of black cohosh in each tablet. The herb is also available in other forms, such as liquid extracts, capsules and tea, but many preparations are not standardized. This means you do not know how much herb you are taking.
Overdose
It may take two or more weeks for your menopause symptoms to improve after you start taking Remifemin. How long you should take it to prevent osteoporosis is not clear. Black cohosh has a low incidence of adverse effects, and actual toxicity has not been documented. However, if you take too much black cohosh, you may experience symptoms of overdose such as dizziness, nausea and vomiting, reduced pulse, sweating and visual disturbances.
