This summary table contains detailed information about research studies. While viewing summary tables offers an informative glimpse at the science behind many breast cancer guidelines and recommendations, they should be viewed with some caution. There are a number of concepts you must understand to be able to successfully read and interpret research tables. To get some background information about understanding research tables, please see How to Read a Research Table.
|
Introduction: Postmenopausal hormones can ease menopausal symptoms, but they can also increase risk of breast cancer [1]. For this reason, many women seek alternative methods of reducing hot flashes and other symptoms. Black cohosh is an herbal remedy that has been suggested as a means of relieving these symptoms. At this time however, there are limited scientific data to support its use.
For information on the strengths and weaknesses of different types of studies, click here.
Study selection criteria: Available randomized controlled trials with at least 80 participants.
Table note: Relative risk above 1 indicates increased risk. Relative risk below 1 indicates decreased risk.
| |
Study
|
Study Population
(number of participants)
|
Treatment Duration
|
Menopausal Symptoms Studied
|
Menopausal Symptoms Significantly Reduced Among Women Taking Black Cohosh versus Placebo?
|
Randomized controlled trials
|
Herbal Alternatives for Menopause Study [2,3]
|
351
cancer-free women
|
1 year
|
Hot flashes plus night sweats
|
No
|
|
|
|
Vaginal dryness
|
No
|
Osmers et al. [4]
|
304
cancer-free women
|
12 weeks
|
Hot flashes plus sleep disorders
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
Vaginal dryness plus sexual disorders plus urinary complaints
|
Yes
|
Pockaj et al. [5]
|
132
breast cancer survivors and women at high risk
|
9 weeks
|
Hot flashes
|
No
|
Frei-Kleiner et al. [6]
|
122
cancer-free women
|
12 weeks
|
Hot flashes
|
No
|
Jacobson et al. [7]
|
85
breast cancer survivors
|
57-60 days
|
Hot flashes
|
No
|
| |
|
|
|
Menopausal Symptoms Significantly Reduced Among Women Taking a Supplement Containing Black Cohosh and St. John's Wort versus Placebo?
|
Uebelhack et al. [8]
|
294
cancer-free women
|
16 weeks
|
Hot flashes
|
Yes
|
References
1. Rossouw JE, Anderson GL, Prentice RL, et al. for the Writing Group for the Women's Health Initiative Investigators. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: principal results From the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 288(3):321-33, 2002.
2. Newton KM, Reed SD, LaCroix AZ, Grothaus LC, Ehrlich K, Guiltinan J. Treatment of vasomotor symptoms of menopause with black cohosh, multibotanicals, soy, hormone therapy, or placebo: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 145(12):869-79, 2006.
3. Reed SD, Newton KM, LaCroix AZ, Grothaus LC, Grieco VS, Ehrlich K. Vaginal, endometrial, and reproductive hormone findings: randomized, placebo-controlled trial of black cohosh, multibotanical herbs, and dietary soy for vasomotor symptoms: the Herbal Alternatives for Menopause (HALT) Study. Menopause. 15(1):51-8, 2008.
4. Osmers R, Friede M, Liske E, Schnitker J, Freudenstein J, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH. Efficacy and safety of isopropanolic black cohosh extract for climacteric symptoms. Obstet Gynecol. 105(5 Pt 1):1074-83, 2005.
5. Pockaj BA, Gallagher JG, Loprinzi CL, et al. Phase III double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial of black cohosh in the management of hot flashes: NCCTG Trial N01CC1. J Clin Oncol. 24(18):2836-41, 2006.
6. Frei-Kleiner S, Schaffner W, Rahlfs VW, Bodmer Ch, Birhuäser M. Cimicifuga racemosa dried ethanolic extract in menopausal disorders: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Maturitas. 51(4):397-404, 2005.
7. Jacobson JS, Troxel AB, Evans J, et al. Randomized trial of black cohosh for the treatment of hot flashes among women with a history of breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 19(10):2739-45, 2001.
8. Uebelhack R, Blohmer JU, Graubaum HJ, Busch R, Gruenwalk J, Wernecke KD. Black cohosh and St. John's wort for climacteric complaints: a randomized trial. Obstet Gynecol. 107(2 Pt 1):247-55, 2006.
Updated 09/12/09
