Herbal Supplement Fails To Relieve Hot Flashes In Large NIH Trial
The herbal supplement black cohosh, whether used alone or with other botanical supplements, did not relieve hot flashes in postmenopausal women or those approaching menopause, who participated in the Herbal Alternatives (HALT) for Menopause Study, according to results from the clinical trial. The research, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), found that women using menopausal hormone therapy, however, did receive significant relief from their hot flashes and night sweats.
The 12-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, compared several herbal regimens and menopausal hormone therapy (estrogen with or without progesterone) to placebo in women ages 45 to 55.
The HALT Study was conducted by Katherine M. Newton, Ph.D., of the Group Health Center for Health Studies, Seattle, and the University of Washington, and colleagues. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), two components of NIH, funded the research. The findings are reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
"In recent years, scientific studies have raised questions about the safety of certain types of menopausal hormone therapy in some women. Interest has grown in alternatives to hormones, including herbal supplements, for controlling hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause," says NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, M.D. "Testing the safety and efficacy of various treatments in randomized clinical trials such as HALT is critically important in helping women in mid-life and their doctors to make informed choices."
Three-hundred and fifty-one women, ages 45 to 55, took part in the HALT Study, conducted at the Seattle-based Group Health Center for Health Studies. Each participant was experiencing at least two hot flashes and/or night sweats daily at the start of the study. The women were approaching menopause, having missed at least one menstrual cycle in the preceding 12 months, or were postmenopausal, having had no menstrual cycle in at least 12 months. Researchers included women who were perimenopausal (or in the menopause transition) because most previous studies looked only at postmenopausal women, who tend to have fewer symptoms than women going through menopause.
Source - Medical News Today
The 12-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, compared several herbal regimens and menopausal hormone therapy (estrogen with or without progesterone) to placebo in women ages 45 to 55.
The HALT Study was conducted by Katherine M. Newton, Ph.D., of the Group Health Center for Health Studies, Seattle, and the University of Washington, and colleagues. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), two components of NIH, funded the research. The findings are reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
"In recent years, scientific studies have raised questions about the safety of certain types of menopausal hormone therapy in some women. Interest has grown in alternatives to hormones, including herbal supplements, for controlling hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause," says NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, M.D. "Testing the safety and efficacy of various treatments in randomized clinical trials such as HALT is critically important in helping women in mid-life and their doctors to make informed choices."
Three-hundred and fifty-one women, ages 45 to 55, took part in the HALT Study, conducted at the Seattle-based Group Health Center for Health Studies. Each participant was experiencing at least two hot flashes and/or night sweats daily at the start of the study. The women were approaching menopause, having missed at least one menstrual cycle in the preceding 12 months, or were postmenopausal, having had no menstrual cycle in at least 12 months. Researchers included women who were perimenopausal (or in the menopause transition) because most previous studies looked only at postmenopausal women, who tend to have fewer symptoms than women going through menopause.
Source - Medical News Today
Labels: complementary, complementary therapy, symptoms
2 Comments:
So… What’s a Gal to do When Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Wreck Havoc on Middle-age and Menopause?!
In light of this week’s medical news that PROVES the link between HRT-use and cancer increases, and black cohosh works as well as a placebo, many middle-age women are looking for the best alternatives to pills and prescriptions. And that’s why Red Hot Momma’s Cool Comfort for Hot Bodies was founded – to provide the 44 million baby boomer women with the best remedies for fighting hot flashes and avoiding a midlife meltdown:
First, get a good night's sleep -- impossible, you say! Try a night gown or pajamas made with CoolMax-type fabrics that wick away heat and moisture. CoolMax was invented in 1980 by DuPont for athletes and its now being used in clothing for women. (http://redhotmommas.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/for_women.html)
Second, banish your hot head with a Chillow pillow. A rather ingenious idea, the Chillow pillow is a mini waterbed for your head. No electricity or batteries need, just 10 cups of water to activate and invigorate your Chillow. When your head is cool, so is your body. (http://redhotmommas.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/bed_basics.html)
Third, stop and smell the flowers – better yet, make it a lavender bush. Lavender is a natural sedative, so put a lavender sachet pillow next to your face while you sleep, or take a few hits of Balance Lavender Spray. In a flash, you’ll be comfortable. (http://redhotmommas.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/accessories.html)
Fourth, get your exercise. Yes, strenuous exercise can make you sweat more, but gentle stretching like yoga has dramatic effects on reducing the severity of hot flashes.
Fifth, switch from cow's milk to soy milk -- there's not a lot of medical studies that support (or deny) the benefits of soy, but it’s a fact that Asian women, whose diet is rich in soy, experience far less hot flashes than American women. (For women with a history of breast cancer, check with your doctor first.)
Sixth, just chill out! Easier said than done you might think but anxiety always increases hot flashes, so if you’re at work and you get hot, just take a deep breath and count slowly as you exhale.
Lastly and for instantaneous relief from a hot flash, put a piece of ice under your tongue, up against your front teeth. The ice will stop your flash in a flash!
There are many products with claims to be the “best remedy for natural menopause” but we’re the country’s first menopause boutique that carries the items rated best by the Good Housekeeping Institute. No, we can’t stop menopause from happening, but we sure have found many alternative ways to keep you cool and comfortable without any long-term health risks!
For additional information, please link to www.RedHotMommas.com or call 215.862.8088.
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Thanks Joann. Very interesting and informative.
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