Black Cohosh Product Reduces Menopausal Symptoms
Pittsburgh
PA, 25 March 2002
A
study published in the current issue of The Journal of Women's
Health and Gender-Based Medicine heralds good news for women
who are looking for natural, estrogen-free options to relieve menopausal
symptoms.
The
study, conducted by Eckehard Liske, PhD and colleagues, shows that
the commercially available dose of RemiFemin(R) Menopause, an exclusive
extract of black cohosh available over-the-counter, works differently
from estrogens and plant estrogens to relieve menopausal symptoms.
Reduces
hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats & sleeplessness
"This
data confirms that RemiFemin provides a safe and effective option
for women who want to relieve menopause symptoms naturally," said
Eckehard Liske, PhD, lead author of the study. "The product reduces
menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats
and occasional sleeplessness without affecting hormone levels or
specific cell lines associated with some female cancers."
In
addition to examining the product's lack of estrogenic effect, the
study compared the effectiveness and safety of two dosage forms
of RemiFemin Menopause. After six months, the currently recommended
daily dose (40 mg) showed similar benefits compared to a three-fold
higher dose. Specifically, the study showed that the majority of
women saw a 70% reduction in their physical and emotional menopausal
symptoms when they took RemiFemin twice daily for 12 weeks. The
results also show that doses above 40 mg per day do not demonstrate
any significant therapeutic advantages nor does the higher dose
result in a significantly greater number of side effects.
"These
findings add to the large body of evidence that the currently available
dose of RemiFemin Menopause results in statistically significant
improvements in both physical and emotional menopausal symptoms
in women," said Steven Weisman, PhD, a pharmacologist and herbal
expert.
Study
design and methods
This
controlled, randomized, double-blind, multi-center trial was conducted
at four gynecological clinics in Poland in accordance with the Good
Clinical Practice Guideline. The study included 150 peri- and postmenopausal
women between the ages of 42 and 60 with moderate to severe menopause
symptoms. The study was conducted over a 12-week treatment period,
with the majority of women enrolling in a continuation study to
24 weeks. A number of scales were used to measure menopause symptoms,
including the Kupperman Menopause Index and the Self-Rating Depression
Scale.
Baby-boomers
approaching menopause
A
third of American women -- more than 35 million -- are now perimenopausal,
and between 50-80% of them will experience acute symptoms, such
as hot flashes, mood swings and sleeplessness. As many as 85% of
women who experience hot flashes have them for more than one year,
and 25 to 50% have them for up to five years. As such, many women
seek medical attention to alleviate their menopause symptoms.
Alternative
for hormone replacement therapy
Hormone
replacement therapy (HRT) is a commonly prescribed treatment for
relief of distressing menopausal symptoms. While HRT has been used
for years to relieve menopause symptoms and also protect bone health,
there are a number of possible side effects associated with HRT
that raise questions regarding the safety of HRT use in all women.
Because HRT is contraindicated in certain populations, particularly
in patients with estrogen sensitive cancers of the breast and uterus,
natural, herbal treatments are gaining popularity for the relief
of short-term symptoms of menopause.
American
College of Obstetrics and Gynecology consider black cohosh helpful
While
many herbal remedies have not been widely studied, there is an abundance
of rigorous scientific data that support the safety and efficacy
of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) extracts -- sold under the
name RemiFemin Menopause in the United States -- for the treatment
of menopause symptoms. The German Commission E, a regulatory body
established by the German Federal Health Authorities similar to
the FDA, has approved black cohosh as a treatment for menopausal
symptoms, and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
has issued guidelines on the use of botanical menopause treatments,
which consider black cohosh to be helpful for hot flashes.
About
the research
RemiFemin
Menopause is the most studied black cohosh supplement and has been
the subject of numerous clinical trials as well as open-label studies
monitoring its effects in physicians' practices. More than 20 trials
have been completed spanning more than 40 years. No serious drug
interactions have been reported in 40 years of use under physicians'
supervision and adverse events have been limited to mild, transient
stomach upset.
This
research was funded by Schaper & Brummer, which manufactures RemiFemin
for sale in the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.
RemiFemin is marketed in the United States by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer
Healthcare. The product is widely available in US supermarkets,
pharmacies, drug stores chains, discount department stores and health
food stores nationwide.
Source
SENSEI
Health via PR Newswire, 25 March 2002.
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