Benefits of Black Cohosh for Menopause Symptoms

Black cohosh is a popular herbal supplement for women, reputed to treat dozens of diseases and conditions of the female endocrine system, including menstrual disorders, pregnancy-related conditions, and many of the common discomforts associated with menopause.
The pharmacology of black cohosh is not fully understood, and its relationship with the female body is complex. Black cohosh stimulates blood-flow to the pelvis and directly interacts with seratonin levels. Also, like many plants, black cohosh contains phytoestrogens-- plant compounds that mimic the role of estrogen in the body. Together, the unique compounds in black cohosh form a natural defense against many of the unpleasant effects associated with menopause.

Hot Flashes

• Hot flashes are among the most common complaints associated with menopause. Sudden fluctuations in body temperature are caused by quick drops in estrogen levels as the body prepares to end ovulation and menstruation. Because estrogen levels are lowest at night and in the evening, many women also experience hot flashes in the form of night sweats.
  Fukinolic acid, one of the primary pharmacological components of black cohosh, is a natural, plant-based compound similar to estrogen. Though it does not actually add true estrogen directly to the body, it can relieve hot flashes and night sweats by "tricking" the body into believing that estrogen levels are higher than they actually are. Black cohosh is most commonly used because of its ability to combat menopause-related temperature fluctuations.

Amenorrhea

• In both younger women and women experiencing menopause, black cohosh is frequently used to induce menstruation. Perimenopausal women often experience menstrual irregularities as the ovaries and uterus prepare to shut down. While black cohosh can not force menstruation to return on a permanent or regular basis, it can delay the onset of amenorrhea and induce delayed menstrual periods.
  Black cohosh has anticoagulant, uterotonic, and estrogenic effects, so it works in a number of ways to bring about menstruation. Large doses of standardized black cohosh cause the uterus to contract, leading to dilation of the cervix and the shedding of the endometrium. Additionally, because it inhibits blood clotting, it can prolong or intensify an abnormally light menstrual period.

Sexual Health

• Many women suffer from sexual dysfunction during menopause, and black cohosh may help to prevent or delay some of the underlying physical causes. Because it increases blood-flow to the pelvic region, black cohosh may enable heightened sensitivity of the genitals. This may help to alleviate common sexual problems like frigidity and difficulty achieving orgasm.
  Additionally, black cohosh's estrogenic effects can prevent vaginal dryness, a common complaint among women experiencing menopause. The estrogen-like compounds found in black cohosh can also help to prevent vaginal atrophy (the thinning of genital tissues), which is one of the key underlying causes of sexual dysfunction in perimenopausal women.

Other Conditions

• Black cohosh may help to decrease the risk of many diseases and conditions that tend to strike during or after menopause. Arthritis, osteoporosis, and some forms of cancer are alarmingly common in post-menopausal women, but these some of disorders may be alleviated or prevented through the use of black cohosh.
  Depression, mood swings, and fatigue are also extremely common for perimenopausal women. However, by helping to enable steadier hormone levels and higher levels of seratonin, black cohosh can alleviate some of these disorders. By treating the underlying causes of irritability, like night sweats and vaginal dryness, black cohosh can enable a stronger sense of self-confidence and general comfort.

Risks and Limitations

• It is important for women experiencing menopause to remember that menopause is not a disease. Like puberty, menopause is a natural, normal development of the female body. No medicine, herbal supplement, or therapy can completely prevent the onset of menopause, and while black cohosh may help to relieve some related symptoms, it can not stop or indefinitely postpone this natural change in the female body.
  Though generally considered safe, black cohosh is not without risks. Prolonged use of black cohosh has been linked to liver damage, so it should be avoided by women with hepatitis, cirrhosis, or other diseases of the liver. Because of its anticoagulant effects, black cohosh is not recommended for use within one month of surgery.