12.01.05
Indication: Hot flushes
Source: Maturitas 2005;16:134-46.
Research: In the study, 351 women between the ages of 45 and 55 were enrolled. The researchers compared black cohosh for menopausal symptoms with placebo and hormone therapy. The women who were enrolled between 2001 and 2004 were randomly assigned to one of five regimens for one year: black cohosh; a multiple botanical supplement containing 10 different herbs, including black cohosh; the same multibotanical supplement together with counseling to increase dietary soy; hormone therapy (Premarin or Prempro); and placebo. The participants kept diaries, recording the frequency and intensity of their hot flushes at the start of the trial and at three, six and 12 months.
Results: Researchers found at three months that the frequency of hot flushes decreased 35% with black cohosh, 15% with the multibotanical, 30% with the multibotanical plus dietary counseling, 21% with placebo and 88% with hormone therapy. The findings were similar at six and 12 months. The same pattern was found when researchers used a meno-pause symptom score. At three months, the frequency of flushes decreased 27% with black cohosh, 14% with the multibotanical, 23% with the multibotanical plus soy, 15% with placebo and 76% with hormone therapy. The findings were also similar at six and 12 months.
Source: Maturitas 2005;16:134-46.
Research: In the study, 351 women between the ages of 45 and 55 were enrolled. The researchers compared black cohosh for menopausal symptoms with placebo and hormone therapy. The women who were enrolled between 2001 and 2004 were randomly assigned to one of five regimens for one year: black cohosh; a multiple botanical supplement containing 10 different herbs, including black cohosh; the same multibotanical supplement together with counseling to increase dietary soy; hormone therapy (Premarin or Prempro); and placebo. The participants kept diaries, recording the frequency and intensity of their hot flushes at the start of the trial and at three, six and 12 months.
Results: Researchers found at three months that the frequency of hot flushes decreased 35% with black cohosh, 15% with the multibotanical, 30% with the multibotanical plus dietary counseling, 21% with placebo and 88% with hormone therapy. The findings were similar at six and 12 months. The same pattern was found when researchers used a meno-pause symptom score. At three months, the frequency of flushes decreased 27% with black cohosh, 14% with the multibotanical, 23% with the multibotanical plus soy, 15% with placebo and 76% with hormone therapy. The findings were also similar at six and 12 months.