Once More – Herbal Meds Don’t Work for Menopausal Symptoms
Tue, February 3, 2009 at 03:00AM Eighteen months ago I posted the results of a survey of clinical studies on alternative medicines for menopause symptoms. The results showed that they didn’t work; however, the findings didn’t get widespread recognition. Women continue to take complementary or alternative medicines for their symptoms; as many as 40% of them do so in the UK. This makes the latest review article in the UK-published Drug and Therapeutic Bulletin relevant.
The reviewers included black cohosh, red clover, Dong quai, evening primrose oil, ginseng, wild yam extract, chaste tree, hops, sage, and kava kava in their survey. They determined that there was no strong evidence, either way, to show that any of these herbal remedies were effective in relieving menopausal symptoms. They scientists did find, however, a lack of standardization or quality assurance for the preparations they studied.
There are a number of ways that menopausal symptoms can be helped without resort to medications – herbal or hormonal. Careful short-term use of hormones in women with severe or troublesome menopause symptoms should not increase their risk of cancer to a relevant degree. Better to take an effective medication for a short period than an ineffective one for a long time.
Reader Comments (1)
It is interesting that many women still take herbal remedies despite the science saying that they don't work. I guess the placebo effect is powerful. I've found some other ways to combat night sweats and hot flashes. Wicking pajamas work well to keep women cool and dry at night.