Black Cohosh as a Menopause Treatment

A kind of herb which is often used to ease menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and night sweats is black cohosh. It is somewhat confusing how black cohosh works. It contains different active compounds and commonly used for menopause symptoms, that’s why it is thought that the herb’s activity is similar to that of estrogen.

This means that it has many actions that are the same like that of estrogen. However, research implies that it does not bind to estrogen receptors and does not increase the number of estrogen receptors as well. So, it is not clear how or why black cohosh has estrogen-like effects.

The Effectiveness of Black Cohosh as one of the Menopause Herbal Remedies

The effectiveness of black cohosh varies. Many studies have been conducted regarding the capability of black cohosh to treat symptoms felt during menopause. Some studies show that it worked well, while others say that it’s like a placebo (a kind of “sugar pill” with no active ingredients) that is not effective. There are no enough evidences to prove the effectiveness of this supplement for other uses.

Black Cohosh

Since black cohosh is considered as a natural product, people believe that it has no side effects at all. Natural products, as we should know have side effects also. Some of which can be quite serious. The following are said to be side effects of black cohosh: headaches; weight gain; breast tenderness; and upset stomach.

The Safety of Black Cohosh as a Menopause Treatment

Is black cohosh safe to use? According to some users, black cohosh in reasonable doses and if taken for short periods of time is probably safe. However, some people may be more likely to encounter problems. It is advisable therefore to consult your healthcare provider before taking this herb especially if you have the following: history of any type of cancer; had a kidney transplant; uterine fibroids; blood clotting disorder; endometriosis; liver disease which includes failure of the liver, cirrhosis and hepatitis; and allergies in food, preservatives and dyes.

You also need to consult your health provider if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant and if you are breastfeeding. Inform her also if you are taking any medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. This is the only way you’ll be safe by using black cohosh as a menopause treatment.

Does Black Cohosh as a Menopause Treatment Really Work?

People may think if black cohosh really works? The effectiveness of black cohosh may be proven by some pieces of evidences. It can help ease menopause symptoms. However, more research needs to be conducted to establish the herb’s efficiency in treating osteoporosis, inducing diagnosis and treating premenstrual syndrome.

Although early studies suggested that black cohosh is useful for natural menopausal relief further research is still needed to confirm that black cohosh is really effective and safe. It should be noted also that black cohosh is not a drug; rather it is a supplement. Therefore, its regulation is less important than drugs and can be manufactured and purchased even if it is not proven to be nontoxic and effective.

Possible Interactions of Black Cohosh with Other Medicines

Even though black cohosh is categorized as a natural herbal supplement, it has potential to interact with several medicines. The following medicines can cause negative interactions with black cohosh which can possibly increase your risk of side effects or may decrease the effectiveness of the medications: Anti depressants such as Amitriptyline, Desipramine, Imipramine, Paroxetine; Venlafaxine; and other drugs such as Cisplatin, Codeine, Flecainide, Haloperidol, Metoprolol, Ondansetron, Risperidone and Tramadol.

It is therefore necessary to take precautionary measures when using black cohosh as a form of menopause treatment. It is safe and effective only if you follow the rules. You can always take a product that contains black cohosh. Read through this review page top rated menopause treatments to get an idea about samples of such products. This page will be of help while you look for natural menopause treatments.