Little evidence that herbals relieve menopause symptoms
Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin, which is published by the British Medical Journal, has published their review of the evidence.
Black cohosh
- 3 studies suggest beneficial effect.
- 4 others do not.
- The herb has been linked to liver toxicity.
- However, 2 other recently published reviews disagree.
Red clover
- A meta-analysis found no benefit.
- Dr. Matthew Anderson from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York agrees and says that 15 years of studies reveal “little evidence of benefit for these products [isoflavones] on menopausal symptoms.
Dong quai
- No better than placebo in 1 study.
- Better than placebo in another, where it was combined with chamomile.
- Contraindicated in patients taking warfarin (Coumadin), as it may increase the risk for bleeding.
- A review on The University of Maryland website agrees.
Evening primrose
- Not superior to placebo in one study.
- Reviewers at the Royal Worcestershire Hospital in the UK agree.
- Evidence suggests it may increase the risk for seizures when used with other drugs that can cause seizures.
The bottom line?
I added the links because the abstract of this article lists no authors and no information on the strategy used to select the research reviewed.
Since posting this summary, A 2010 review tells us nothing has changed. “Herbal formulations such as dong quai, ginseng, kava, and dietary soy, among others, do not appear to benefit patients more than placebo.”
1/15/09 19:41 JR; updated 10/4/10 20:38 JR