Dosage For Black Cohosh In Pregnancy

Black cohosh is a plant that has a long history of use in Native American, European and Chinese folk medicine traditions for medical conditions ranging from kidney problems to neurological disorders. While some modern scientific studies indicate that black cohosh use may be helpful in relieving menopause symptoms, there has been little research conducted on the safety and effectiveness of using black cohosh during pregnancy. Health professionals recommend that pregnant women avoid black cohosh unless they are taking the supplements under the direction and supervision of an obstetrician.

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh -- also known by its scientific name, Cimicifuga racemosa, and by the common names black snakeroot, bugbane, rattleweed and banebarry -- is a plant whose roots have historically been made into teas, concoctions and powders used to treat menstrual disorders and symptoms, snakebites, headaches, fever, fatigue, rheumatism, sore throats and to ease labor pains. Modern alternative medicine practitioners use black cohosh extract capsules and tablets to ease the hot flashes, bouts of anxiety, night sweats and vaginal dryness that can occur during menopause. While the study results have been conflicting, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists contends that black cohosh may indeed be helpful for treating menopause symptoms. These effects may be due to the high concentration of estrogenic compounds such as fukinolic acid and triterpene glycosides that black cohosh contains. According to Drugs.com, clinical trials have determined that a dosage of 40 to 80 mg of black cohosh containing at least 1 mg triterpene 27-deoxyactein in each 20 mg pill is safe for adults.

Use During Pregnancy

The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements warns that, because of the lack of research on black cohosh use during pregnancy, women should avoid using any products containing the plant while they are pregnant. A 1996 case study published in the "New Zealand Medical Journal" reported that a woman who used black cohosh in combination with another plant extract, blue cohosh, to induce labor gave birth to a child suffering from neurological problems. This study is far from conclusive, and more research is needed to determine the precise effects black cohosh may have on a fetus and mother during pregnancy. Until more information is available, however, the American Pregnancy Association advises that there is no safe dosage of black cohosh during pregnancy.

Possible Side Effects

Black cohosh use can cause a variety of other side effects, including headaches, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, unexpected weight gain, stomach and joint pain, visual problems, dizziness and a decrease in your normal heart rate. People with liver damage or women who suffer from uterine, breast or ovarian cancer should avoid using black cohosh. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, black cohosh may increase your risk of liver disease. Women should watch for symptoms of liver trouble -- yellowing skin or eyes, dark-colored urine, abdominal pain -- while using black cohosh.

Considerations

Black cohosh is not approved for the treatment of any condition and, as a dietary supplement, is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, any commercial black cohosh product you may purchase has not been checked for purity or effectiveness. In addition, scientists know little about the possible long-term effects of black cohosh use. Because of the estrogenic activity of some of the plant's compounds, researchers worry that consuming black cohosh regularly for longer than a six-month period may increase a woman's chance of breast and uterine cancer. Do not begin using black cohosh -- whether you are pregnant or not -- until you've spoken to your doctor about the possible dangers.