Saturday, May 2, 2009

Black Cohosh 101

Many postmenopausal women take black Cohosh. The vendors who sell this product make it sound like this product is a remedy for every medical symptom after menopause. One of the major reasons why black cohosh has gained popularity is because it is deemed to be a better alternative to hormonal therapy in menopausal women. Black cohosh is sold as a treatment for:

-hot flashes
-mood disturbances
-diaphoresis (sweating)
-palpitations (fast heart beats)
-vaginal dryness

Is there any evidence that black cohosh works?

There have been a few studies, which have looked at this product, and some studies have revealed an improvement in menopausal symptoms. However, not all studies show the same degree of improvement in symptoms.

How does black cohosh work?

The exact mechanism how black cohosh works is unknown but is believed to be related to either a direct effects on the estrogen receptor or alteration of hormonal levels

Is black cohosh safe?

The supplement has been studied for up to 6 months and appears to be safe for this time period. Long-term safety of black cohosh is not known and caution is advised until more long term data are available

Can black cohosh be used in women with breast cancer?


Use of black cohosh in females with breast or uterine cancer should be used with great caution. Most physicians do not recommend it but if one does use the supplement, it has to be under the supervision of a health care professional

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