Also known as bugbane or black snakeroot, black cohosh is a medicinal root used to treat hormonal issues in women, including menstrual cramps, premenstrual syndrome, and menopausal symptoms. Black cohosh works because it contains phytochemicals that affects the functioning of the endocrine system. You can get black cohosh without prescription throughout the United States, but it is a good idea to talk to your doctor before you use black cohosh. Hot flashes can cause serious trouble and black cohosh can be an effective remedy for this condition. You can take it as a 20mg pill, such as Remifemin, which you need to take twice a day, or you can find it in extract, root, and tincture forms.
Black Cohosh for Hot Flashes, Does It Work?
Hot flashes are characterized by a sudden feeling of warmth or heat on the upper chest and face. The sensation can be quite intense and may last for a few minutes. After it ends, you experience profuse sweating. Many women have tried black cohosh for hot flashes and experienced some positive results. However, some studies show black cohosh may not offer any relief from hot flashes or other menopausal symptoms. Women who have experienced positive results have noticed a considerable reduction in night sweats, hot flashes, and sleep problems. Black cohosh is one of the most popular remedies for hot flashes.
How to Use
As mentioned, you can find black cohosh in tablets, capsules, extracts, and liquid tincture form that you need to use with water. If you opt for dried root, you can use it to prepare herbal tea. You should ensure that you do not take more than 20-80mg of black cohosh a day. The tablets should contain 1mg of 27-deoxyctein. While you may enjoy black cohosh teas, they may not prove as effective as other forms of black cohosh are.
Black Cohosh for Hot Flashes, Is It Safe?
There is no long-term study to record the effects of black cohosh when used on a long-term basis. You need to keep in mind though that black cohosh works quite like estrogen therapy, so it may have side effects associated with estrogen. Experts are of the view that the long-term use of black cohosh may cause liver problems in some women. Also when using black cohosh, hot flashes which are acompanied by unusual tiredness is usually not recommened. Stop its use if your skin is yellowing and you lose your appetite. Call your doctor immediately if you notice the whites of your eyes become yellow.
What’s more, you should avoid overdosing or else you may have to deal with several side effects. The most common issues associated with overdose are nausea, headache, vertigo, impaired circulation and impaired vision.
What to Consider
Avoid Confusion with Blue Cohosh
While black cohosh for hot flashes are a common choice for many women, you should ensure that you do not confuse it with blue cohosh, which is a different supplement with damaging effects on the heart.
Avoid if with a History of Breast Cancer
Moreover, you should avoid taking black cohosh without talking to your doctor about its effects. Avoid it if you have had breast cancer in the past because its extended use can stimulate cancer cell growth.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
You should also avoid it or consult with your doctor if you are pregnant and want to use black cohosh. While there is no evidence that black cohosh is harmful for an unborn baby, its use may cause uterine stimulation that may result in premature birth or miscarriage.
Experts believe you should avoid using black cohosh if you are breastfeeding and avoid combining it with hormone therapy, birth control pills or tamoxifen.
Easy Things You Can Do for Relief
It is important to mention that certain lifestyle changes and home remedies may help relieve mild hot flashes. For instance:
- Keep yourself cool because an increase in your body temperature may cause hot flashes. Wear breathable clothes, open windows when you feel warm, and install an air conditioner to lower your room temperature.
- Avoid eating spicy foods and keep away from caffeinated beverages.
- Meditation, slow breathing, and other stress-reducing techniques may help relieve mild hot flashes. These practices will also help make it easier for you to sleep at night.
- Quit smoking if you experience increased hot flashes. This will also prevent other diseases such as stroke, heart disease, and cancer.
- Try to lose some weight if you are obese. This will help reduce hot flashes to some extent.
Effective Treatments for Hot Flashes
While you may notice benefits of black cohosh, hot flashes can be treated with other methods as well. For instance, you can take anti-seizure drugs and antidepressant to help reduce hot flashes. Here are some other treatment options:
Hormone Therapy
Progesterone and estrogen can help reduce hot flashes. If you have had a hysterectomy, you can take estrogen alone. You should take progesterone as well if you have a uterus – this protects you against endometrial cancer. The most common treatment for menopausal symptoms is bazedoxifene with estrogens – the use of drug helps reduce the risk of cancer. Avoid estrogen therapy if you have had breast cancer or blood clot.
Antidepressants
You may take lower doses of certain antidepressants such as Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, or Venlafaxine to reduce hot flashes. Paroxetine or Brisdelle is an FDA-approved medication for treating hot flashes, but it is somewhat expensive as compared to other options. If you have severe hot flashes, you may not benefit a lot from antidepressants. Hormone therapy works more effectively in this case. Antidepressants may cause certain side effects such as nausea, fatigue, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and more. Most of these side effects will go away over time.
Prescription Medications
Some women may benefit from prescription medications such as Gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin) and Clonidine (Kapvay, Catapres). These medications may have side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, and dry mouth.