The Effect of Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga Racemosa) on Menopausal Symptoms: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Menopause is a critical period in women's life , in which most of them experience physical and mental symptoms as well as temperamental changes. As hormone therapy hasbeen associated with a variety of side effects, there is a shift demaned to non-hormonal options. Among the alternatives, phytoestrogen herbs possess a particular position. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Black Cohosh(Cimicifuga racemosa)on menopausal symptoms.
This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 90 menopause women who were supported by Rafsanjan Health Centers in 2015, and they were randomly assigned into two groups of case and control. The intervention for case group was done in 8 weeks using coated pills of cimifugol which contained 6.5 mg dried root of Black Cohosh produced by GolDaroo Company, and meanwhile the control group did not take any kind of drug. The data were collected by means of individual characteristics form and MRS (Menopause Rating Scale ) questionnaire which were completed on the onset of the study, 4 ,and 8 weeks after the intervention. Data analysis was done by independent t-tests and two-way repeated measures ANOVA.
The mean scores of menopause in the Black Cohosh group and the control group before the intervention were respectively 19.02± 7.61 and 19.77±10.44, which statistically there was not a considerable difference between the two groups (p=.706). This scores four weeks after the commence were respectively 13.09±5.86 and 20.62±7.88 and after eight weeks were 10.09±5.13 and 21.66±8.57, which represented a meaningfull difference between the two groups (p The results indicated that the Black Cohosh has proved to be effective in decreasing menopause symptoms and it can be considered as an alternative treatment for those who are not able or eager to use hormone therapy. Complementary studies applying placebo are recommended.