Perimenopause Naturally:
An Integrative Medicine Approach
by Tori Hudson, N.D.
Botanicals

Black Cohosh
Black cohosh has emerged as the single most important herb
for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
Although the bulk of the research has
been uncontrolled studies,
there have been 6 well-publicized studies.[11]
In one of the largest,
629 women with menopausal complaints were given
a liquid standardized extract of black cohosh
twice daily for 6 to 8 weeks.[12]
By 4 weeks, clear improvements in menopausal symptoms,
including hot flashes, night sweats, headaches,
insomnia and mood swings,
were seen in 80% of the women,
while symptoms completely disappeared in approximately 50%.
The other studies reported improvements in fatigue,
irritability, hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

A recent clinical trial on black cohosh (2001) involved 85 women
diagnosed with breast cancer experiencing hot flashes.[13]
Fifty-nine of them (70%) were taking tamoxifen during the trial.
Participants took either black cohosh standardized extract
of 40 mg twice daily or placebo for two months.
Both the black cohosh and placebo groups had a
decline in the number and intensity of hot flashes during the first
month of about 27%.
Women in the black cohosh group did report a
greater reduction in sweating.

Although the results of this study are not consistent
with other research showing benefit
from black cohosh for menopausal symptoms,
it is important to note that black cohosh may not work
in the presence of an anti- oestrogen, such as tamoxifen.
Other limitations of the study were
its short duration and a high dropout rate,
with most of the women who remained
in the black cohosh group taking the tamoxifen.

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Notes
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