One randomized clinical study compared a 40 mg daily dose of an water extract of iCR to a standard therapy consisting of low-dose transdermal estradiol (25 mg 7-day patches) plus with 10 mg a day of dihydrogesterone for the last 12 days of the 3-month estradiol treatment. From the first month of treatment, both black cohosh and the standard treatment significantly reduced the daily count of hot flashes and the Greene climacteric scale score for vasomotor symptoms compared to baseline. These effects were maintained during the 3 months of follow-up, and no significant difference between the two treatments was noted.[1]
Although these results are promising, particularly for menopausal women who can’t undergo hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or who prefer to avoid estrogen-containing medications, there is a lack of studies comparing black cohosh with conventional medications (e.g., estrogens).
References
- ^Nappi RE, Malavasi B, Brundu B, Facchinetti FEfficacy of Cimicifuga racemosa on climacteric complaints: a randomized study versus low-dose transdermal estradiol.Gynecol Endocrinol.(2005-Jan)