Herbal medicines for menopausal symptoms

"Many women are now taking herbal remedies to combat their menopause symptoms after studies linking medical hormone replacement therapy with breast cancer, blood clots and ovarian cancer. But, there is no strong evidence that they work", according to an article in the journal Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin in the UK in January 2009.

The most commonly used herbal medicines by women for menopausal symptoms include black cohosh, red clover, Dong quai (dang gui) , evening Primrose oil and sometimes ginseng.

Dr. Iheanacho's  review found 'no convincing evidence' that red clover extract is effective for menopausal symptoms , and little evidence for dong quai, evening primrose oil, wild yam, chaste tree, hops, or sage.  In addition, "the findings...showed that black cohosh can cause liver toxicity, and that dong quai and ginseng can interfere with the anti-clotting drug warfarin."

In Australia, one study conducted in 2005 reported that 82% of mid-life women work using complementary therapies. Of these women nearly 70% were taking nutritional supplements, 55% phytoestrogens, 40% other herbal remedies and 30% were taking vitamin E.

Women wishing to have nonhormonal treatment for menopausal hot flushes and night sweats should speak to their doctor about this.

Nonhormonal options to treat hot flushes which are supported by evidence from well conducted research include:

• low doses of venlafaxine, a drug commonly associated with the treatment of depression, can be quite effective for reducing hot flushes and reducing mood changes with a menopause
• low-dose clonidine-this is a drug originally developed for the treatment of high blood pressure and sometimes used in migraine therapy. Low doses are very effective in some women hot flushes with the main side-effect being a dry mouth.
• Gabapentin is used to treat certain forms of epilepsy and nerve pain but low-dose therapy can be effective in reducing flushes in some women.