Both in vitro and in vivo studies show that black cohosh extracts lack estrogenic effects and don’t raise estrogen levels in the blood. Research on breast cancer cell lines suggests that black cohosh might be safe for menopausal women due to potential anti-estrogenic properties.[1]
Moreover, some studies have shown that black cohosh does not impact gonadotropin or estradiol levels in both healthy women and women with estrogen-dependent conditions like breast cancer. Additionally, black cohosh does not seem to affect levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, prolactin, sex-hormone-binding globulin, and testosterone.[2][3]
References
- ^Bodinet C, Freudenstein JInfluence of Cimicifuga racemosa on the proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive human breast cancer cells.Breast Cancer Res Treat.(2002-Nov)
- ^Castelo-Branco C, Gambacciani M, Cano A, Minkin MJ, Rachoń D, Ruan X, Beer AM, Schnitker J, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH, Pickartz SReview & meta-analysis: isopropanolic black cohosh extract iCR for menopausal symptoms - an update on the evidence.Climacteric.(2021-Apr)
- ^Jacobson JS, Troxel AB, Evans J, Klaus L, Vahdat L, Kinne D, Lo KM, Moore A, Rosenman PJ, Kaufman EL, Neugut AI, Grann VRRandomized trial of black cohosh for the treatment of hot flashes among women with a history of breast cancerJ Clin Oncol.(2001 May 15)