Black cohosh!?

[BooseysMom]

I've just read the attached info in the Women's Health Bible dated 2004 about alternative remedies for symptoms of menopause. It says in a study of 80 menopausal women it was found that black cohosh was as effective as HRT in lessening the severity of hot flushes, memory loss, depression and mood swings as well as thickening the vaginal tissues. It sounds like a miracle pill!
I've heard of Agnus Castus but not Black Cohosh. Has anyone heard of or tried this? I used to take Evening Primrose but found it stopped helping after a while and now I'm very sceptical of anything herbal

Not tried Black Cohosh. But I am currently taking Ashwagandha which has helped my menopause symptoms immensely.

Not tried it, but have heard of it. You can get it at H & B. On offer here

Tried it, tried everything else. Nothing worked. Took hrt. It works

1 That 'bible' is very out of date - 15 years.
2 It's tiny study. No one can conduct a proper trial on 80 women - that's ridiculous (sorry.)
3 There is a lot more online about black cohosh from more up to date sources. It i s also mentioned in the NICE 2015 meno guidelines.

Basically, it helps some women but can be toxic to the liver and should not be used long term.

MadamBatty wrote..
Tried it, tried everything else. Nothing worked. Took hrt. It works
.. Ha!

No wonder the NHS don't recommend these alternative remedies esp if they can cause other health issues as JinglingHellsBells says above.

Yes the "bible" is really out of date. DH found it in a box where It's been for 15 years! It stinks of mould and will more than likely end up in the recycling

The NHS does recommend some alternative therapies but there is very limited good research showing they work (for everyone.)

I imagine some alternative stuff works for some people. How do you know though? I spent a small fortune, it didn’t go to waste, given to friends all of whom found it equally as useless!

You don't know, that's the point.

Also 'natural' does not always mean 'safe'.

Many herbs and supplements can cause side effects especially if mixed with prescription drugs (for other things.)

Don’t take Black Cohosh if you have ever had an ER positive breast cancer or ovarian cancer.

Thanks CherryPavlova. Mum had breast cancer at 60. I don't think hers was ER positive though. She battled with it until the age of 76 when she finally got beaten. I don't think I'll bother with black cohosh anyway

Why bother when you can get clinically tested HRT on prescription?

I know this is an old thread. I am 54 menopausal tearful, confidence taken a battering (also mum of teenagers which is difficult), hot flushes, joint pain, sleeplessness, loss of libido etc.
I eventually went to the GP and was prescribed Evorell Conti patches (which worked brilliantly). I felt great all symptoms above minimised) for three months. Then supplies dried up so I was put on Kilofem. Mid way through month 2 my boobs were heavy sore and felt swollen. I also had a weird very itchy rash on my nipple. The GP told me to stop taking Kilofem right away. She initially thought the rash maybe fungal gave me creams and asked me to come back in a fortnight. She then referred me to the breast clinic as the rash hadn’t cleared up. My appointment was at the end of last week. I was told I was ok (didn’t have a mammogram as last one 11 months ago). Is it safe to try black Kohosh as I feel a bit scared to try HRT again. All the above symptoms are back with a vengeance apart from the sweats/flushes which are manageable/minimal compared to what they were? I purchased some black kohosh at the end of last week as a friend recommended it but after a quick google I am now worried about taking that?

I tried everything ‘natural’ for about 8 years. Not sure any of it made that much difference. I still have regular periods at 52. Started HRT in December once the night sweats became unbearable. Things aren’t perfect Now but much improved over all.

Thanks big buttons after the breast scare I am a bit frightened to try HRT again.

Try red clover. Was recommended by a nursing friend. I'm currently awaiting a date for hysterectomy & on monthly triptorelin injections. I've had no menopause symptoms at all. I started taking it about 10 days before the first injection. There are no contra-indications to other drugs listed, unlike black cohosh.