Menopause and Black Cohosh

Efficacy and safety of isopropanolic black cohosh extract for climacteric symptoms.

Article Summary:

Several clinical studies suggest that black cohosh may be effective in climacteric complaints. This clinical trial, which is randomized, multicenter, and doubleblind, compared the effectiveness and tolerability of isopropanolic black cohosh extract in the treatment of climacteric complaints compared to a placebo.

This study involved 304 patients who were randomly given either 40 mg of isopropanolic black cohosh in tablet form or a placebo. The patients were given the drug or placebo for 12 weeks. To measure effectiveness, the change from baseline on the Menopause Rating Scale I was primarily used. The result of the study was that isopropanolic black cohosh extract was more effective than the placebo depending on time from symptom onset and follicle-stimulating hormone level. The patients who were in the early climacteric

phase benefited more from the isopropanolic black cohosh extract than patients in the late climacteric phase. No differences could be found between the black cohosh extract and placebo when it came to adverse events or tolerability. The isopropanolic black cohosh extract used in this study was effective in relieving climacteric symptoms, especially in patients who were in the early climacteric phase.

Authors:

Osmers R, Friede M, Liske E, Schnitker J, Freudenstein J, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH.

Institution:

Hildesheim General Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hildesheim.

Country of Publication:

Germany

Source:

Obstet Gynecol. 2005 May;105(5):1074-83

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