Menopause
Study: Cohosh, clover not useful against hot flashes
Women who are experiencing menopausal symptoms have few treatment options. According to two studies conducted by researchers at Northwestern University and University of Illinois, two commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) remedies, do not relief menopausal hot flashes.
In the studies, black cohosh and red clover were compared to hormone replacement therapy and placebo. The study included 89 women who experienced at least 35 moderate-to-severe hot flashes per week. In the 12 months study, the researchers wanted to determine if OTC remedies were effective in treating the symptoms.
The researchers found that the placebo was more effective in relieving hot flashes than black cohosh orred clover! Patients on hormone therapy experienced a 94% reduction in hot flashes, while patients on placebo experienced a 63% reduction. For black cohosh and red clover reductions were 34% and 57% respectively.
"The problem here is that women have limited options," said our industry analyst. "Despite a greater risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke, breast cancer and blood clotting, Hormone Replacement Therapy is till used by patients because there are few effective alternatives. The women who seek therapeutic alternatives find that they have limited options that are proven to be effective. Over the counter remedies like black cohosh and red clover are not even as effective as placebo."
Most gynecologists still recommend the use of hormones because there are few other FDA approved options. An estimated one-third of women seeking treatment for menopausal symptoms are on conventional prescription hormones, despite a greater risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke, breast cancer and blood clotting. Another third of women are taking prescription or OTC bio-identical hormones, despite evidence from medical literature showing that bio-identical hormones have the same safety concerns as HRT. The final third of women are seeking alternative therapies like black cohosh or red clover despite evidence that they have limited efficacy, not to mention lack of FDA oversight regulating quality control.
It is estimated that roughly $3 billion is spent in the US on over-the-counter remedies for menopausal symptoms. IMS estimates that the US estrogen market for menopausal hot flashes is approaching $2 billion.
Clearly there is a treatment void here: women can choose between safe treatment options that have limited efficacy, or they can choose HRT which is an effective treatment that has serious safety concerns.
Source: threebrothershealth.com
In the studies, black cohosh and red clover were compared to hormone replacement therapy and placebo. The study included 89 women who experienced at least 35 moderate-to-severe hot flashes per week. In the 12 months study, the researchers wanted to determine if OTC remedies were effective in treating the symptoms.
The researchers found that the placebo was more effective in relieving hot flashes than black cohosh orred clover! Patients on hormone therapy experienced a 94% reduction in hot flashes, while patients on placebo experienced a 63% reduction. For black cohosh and red clover reductions were 34% and 57% respectively.
"The problem here is that women have limited options," said our industry analyst. "Despite a greater risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke, breast cancer and blood clotting, Hormone Replacement Therapy is till used by patients because there are few effective alternatives. The women who seek therapeutic alternatives find that they have limited options that are proven to be effective. Over the counter remedies like black cohosh and red clover are not even as effective as placebo."
Most gynecologists still recommend the use of hormones because there are few other FDA approved options. An estimated one-third of women seeking treatment for menopausal symptoms are on conventional prescription hormones, despite a greater risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke, breast cancer and blood clotting. Another third of women are taking prescription or OTC bio-identical hormones, despite evidence from medical literature showing that bio-identical hormones have the same safety concerns as HRT. The final third of women are seeking alternative therapies like black cohosh or red clover despite evidence that they have limited efficacy, not to mention lack of FDA oversight regulating quality control.
It is estimated that roughly $3 billion is spent in the US on over-the-counter remedies for menopausal symptoms. IMS estimates that the US estrogen market for menopausal hot flashes is approaching $2 billion.
Clearly there is a treatment void here: women can choose between safe treatment options that have limited efficacy, or they can choose HRT which is an effective treatment that has serious safety concerns.
Source: threebrothershealth.com
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- 08/21/09
- Posted by JGoldman30
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