Effects of Black Cohosh on Menopausal Hot Flashes

August 17, 2006 updated by: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
This study will assess whether treatment with black cohosh is effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of menopausal hot flashes. In addition, this study will determine whether or not black cohosh reduces the frequency of other menopausal symptoms and improves quality of life.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Most American women will spend the last third of their lives post-menopause. During this time, chronically low levels of steroidal estrogens may lead to a number of short and long-term medical sequelae such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, heart disease, and osteoporosis. While some physicians believe that demonstrated beneficial effects of estrogen, particularly on the cardiovascular and skeletal systems, warrant the taking of hormone therapy from menopause on, many women choose not to take estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) and are increasingly exploring alternative approaches to ERT.

For centuries, black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) has been used worldwide for women's health. Despite its long-standing use, studies of black cohosh have yielded conflicting data, in part because of lack in study design rigor and the short duration of studies to date. The primary aim of this study is to correct past shortcomings in study design to determine whether treatment with black cohosh is effective in treating menopausal symptoms.

Participants in this study will be given black cohosh for a 12-month period. Potential mechanisms of action of black cohosh will be examined by quantifying the levels of sex hormones, including estradiol, estrone, FSH, and LH. Because black cohosh may act as an estrogenic agent, the effect on endometrium will be evaluated by sonogram and by monitoring the incidence of adverse events and compliance with the study.

Study Type

Interventional

Phase

  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • New York
      • New York, New York, United States, 10032
        • Columbia University Rosenthal Center for CAM

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

45 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Resident of the New York Metro Area
  • Postmenopausal
  • Weight within 90% to 120% of ideal body weight

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Dr. Fredi Kronenberg, Columbia University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

September 1, 1999

Study Completion

July 1, 2005

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 2, 2001

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 2, 2001

First Posted (Estimate)

February 5, 2001

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

August 18, 2006

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 17, 2006

Last Verified

August 1, 2006

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • P50AT000090-01P3 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)
  • P50AT000090-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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