Black Cohosh for Menopause Anyone?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists first stated the benefits of using black cohosh for menopause symptoms back in 2001.

Black cohosh is a native North American perennial. A kind of buttercup, it is also known by the following names:

• Black Snakeroot
• Bugbane (since bugs tend to avoid it)
• Bugwort
• Macrotys
• Rattleroot
• Rattletop
• Rattleweed

It is also known by the scientific names Racemosa Actaea or Cimicifuga.

What does research on black cohosh show?

Women in menopause or perimenopause (period of transition into menopause, including first year after a woman’s last period) stages usually have lower estrogen levels. But they have higher levels of luteinizing (LH) and follicle-stimulating (FSH) hormones compared to those with regular menstruation.

Using black cohosh herb for menopause was first thought to be effective due to its binding action to estrogen receptors, lowering hormone levels. But recent research shows no binding or any estrogen related action.

Out of the four published studies, three show that using black cohosh for menopause symptoms either affected FSH or LH in no way or caused negligible changes.

A fourth study involving 110 subjects with symptoms of menopause showed that black cohosh affected LH, although FSH was unchanged. The group given a dose of black cohosh for menopause for eight weeks showed lower LH. But the hormone levels of the subjects prior to the study were not included.

Why use black cohosh for menopause relief?

For one thing, real relief from using black cohosh for menopause symptoms has been reported, leading the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to mention it as beneficial.

When OB-GYNS recommended black cohosh for menopause in 2001, they mainly advised it for short-term relief (half a year or less) of symptoms.

Many believe using black cohosh herb for menopause can provide short-term relief from three symptoms of menopause or perimenopause:

• Hot flashes
• Mild mood changes
• Night sweats

Studies, so far, show no action on a woman’s uterine lining, so using black cohosh herb for menopause relief is not expected to increase bleeding. However, clinical research on humans is still insufficient.

How safe is black cohosh?

Black cohosh is sold in America as dietary or food supplements. Since they are not classified as drugs, the makers of black cohosh products are not bound by federal law to give the FDA evidence that their products are indeed safe and effective.

This means that the composition, consistency, and safety of black cohosh products may considerably differ from maker to maker.

Side effects from taking black cohosh, however, have been shown in clinical studies to be much less than those from taking estrogen treatments.

The following side effects of black cohosh have been reported:

• stomach or gastric discomfort
• headaches
• heavy feeling in the legs
• weight problems

It must be noted that black cohosh is typically not used for long periods.