Is black cohosh a safe menopausal treatment option? 

Black cohosh is an herbal supplement prepared from the roots of a perennial plant native to North America. It is made available in capsule form, liquid extracts, or solid extracts such as pills. Black cohosh has a history of being used by the Native Americans to treat muscle pain, arthritis and colds, but its main use is now among women as it’s been gaining in popularity for its positive effects on menopausal symptoms.

It’s primarily taken to help women cope with hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats and other menopausal symptoms. Black cohosh is believed to ease the symptoms of menopause because it contains phyto-oestrogens. Phyto-oestrogens are chemicals found in the black cohosh plant that bare a similarity to the female sex hormone oestrogen. Black cohosh helps by replacing oestrogens that are no longer being produced by the ovaries in the body during menopause. This can help to regulate the hormones thereby reducing the symptoms of menopause.

Research studies have produced mixed results concerning the benefits of Black Cohosh. While not much is known about the herb, it has been said to help reduce the symptoms of menopause. Some of the benefits of taking Black Cohosh include:

·        Less frequent hot flashes

·        Reduction in the intensity of hot flashes

·        Helps with sleep disturbances

·        Reduces perspiration

·        Reduces pains associated with headaches

·        Helps with mood swings

Of course like any medicines, there are risks associated with taking herbal supplements such as black cohosh and you should familiarize yourself with such risks. The following are some of the cautions that you should consider before taking black cohosh:

·        There is no proven scientific research that shows that black cohosh will help reduce menopausal symptoms

·        Can cause side effects such as stomach discomfort or headaches

·        May not be safe for pregnant women or women who have had breast cancer

·        Long term effects of the herb are unknown

·        May interfere with blood pressure medications

Most physicians support the use of black cohosh up to a period of six months. However, it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting any herbal remedies to ensure they are being used safely and that they are right for you.

Question:

I had breast cancer 10 years ago. It was low grade, but I was told by my doctor that I was not able to take anything for my menopause. I have hot flashes bad. What can I do to help me with this?

Name withheld

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Answer:

Lifestyle changes may help. Make yourself aware of physical triggers, such as spicy foods. Make sure your bedroom is cool, and that you have layers during the day you can quickly remove. Regular exercise can help. And when a hot flash starts, practice keeping your breathing, slow, deep and controlled.

Question:

My name is Dawn. I am 57, and I’m post-menopausal. I have vaginal atrophy and have been inserting vagifem tablets. To start with, they seemed to be working, but I now find that my vagina is burning and uncomfortable most of the time. I had a posterior repair done four months ago, and have had constant problems with vaginal atrophy ever since. Can you recommend some type of vaginal cream and could I have got this problem due to the operation? I hope some other woman with the same problem can give me some advice, as I don’t seem to get much satisfaction from doctors.

Name withheld

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Answer: 

One of the things patients rarely do is say to their doctors: “I’m not happy with the treatment I am receiving.” People are intimidated by physicians and they shouldn’t be. Tell your doctor that the treatment s/he’s recommending isn’t working, that you’re sick of leaving the doctor’s office feeling like nothing’s been accomplished, and that you want a solution to your problem, not more months of uncertainty punctuated by periodic, useless checkups. This kind of confrontational approach can sometimes be easier with a new physician. You can set the stage in the very first appointment: “The reason I am here is because I was completely unhappy with the treatment I received from my last physician. I felt like s/he wasn’t solution-oriented. These are my problems and I want them solved now, not 12 months from now.”

Question:

I had a hysterectomy at 29 years old, but was left with my ovaries. I do not know if I ever went through menopause, but I am now 51 years old. The past three weeks I have been experiencing a burning sensation in the left groin area. It is not painful, just constant, and annoying. Is this anything like having a hot flash?

Claudia

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Answer:

It may be. Having your uterus removed doesn’t immediately trigger menopause, although women who’ve had a partial hysterectomy sometimes start menopause a few years earlier than other women. What you are describing may be a symptom of menopause, but it could be something else. You should make an appointment with your doctor.

Question:

When are you completely finished with menopause?

Name withheld

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Answer:

A good rule of thumb is 24 months after your last period, but it varies.

Question:

I had a hysterectomy in 2000.  I was 40 years old at the time. I have no sex drive at all, but I am also on opioids for back pain. Would that affect my sex drive? What kind of medication would you suggest to increase libido.

Jewels

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Answer:

There are androgen treatments that might help with your low libido, but they are not without side effects. You’ll need to talk to your doctor about these prescription medicines. Lifestyle changes may also help – getting more active (pursued cautiously, this avenue might help your back, too), improving eating or developing more intimacy with your partner.

Question:

My wife is almost 48. She is in great physical condition. We had a great relationship until a few months ago. She says she has not started menopause yet and won't for a few more years. However, she seems to be having multiple periods and also seems depressed. Her sex drive seems, at least to me, to be a lot lower. She seems more intolerant of me, et cetera. Could she be going into menopause?

Neil

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Answer:

Yes. The symptoms you are describing are common in women experiencing perimenopause, which is the period that precedes menopause by as much as five years, and can follow menopause for another year.