Botanicals Might Ease Menopause Symptoms

Study will examine effectiveness and safety of black cohosh and red clover

WEDNESDAY, March 31 (HealthDayNews) -- Volunteers are needed for a one-year study to test the effectiveness of two herbal products -- black cohosh and red clover -- in relieving menopausal symptoms.

The study will also examine the safety of these products when used for an extended period of time.

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The study will be conducted by researchers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, in collaboration with researchers at the UIC/NIH Center for Botanical Dietary Supplement Research in Women's Health, and Northwestern University. The study is being sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

"Our goal is to determine the role of botanicals in the management of menopause. Furthermore, we will test their ability to relieve additional menopausal symptoms, such as insomnia, mood disturbances and sexual problems," Dr. Lee Shulman, chief of the division of reproductive genetics at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, says in a prepared statement.

Black cohosh and red clover are plant-based dietary supplements that act much like female hormones in the body.

"Many women already use these products for the relief of menopausal symptoms; however, studies have not yet been conducted to show these botanicals should replace hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as the first line of treatment for the short-term relief of hot flashes," Cate Stika, chief of the division of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, says in a prepared statement.

"This study is particularly important in light of the confusion surrounding the use of HRT. Many women are asking about alternatives and we need to be able to provide a solid, evidence-based response," Stika says.

To be eligible for the study, participants must meet the following requirements:

• Healthy menopausal woman.
• No menstruation for at least six months.
• No prior hysterectomy.
• Experiencing a significant number of hot flashes.
• Nonsmoker.

Women interested in taking part in the study should phone Northwestern Memorial Hospital at 312-926-8400.

More information

The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more about menopause (www.niapublications.org ).

--Robert Preidt