Many women turn to Black Cohosh to help them with their hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.  However, while it isn't bad to take - and may still have some great value - a recent report shows that it may not be the cure-all that many people say it is.

In the most definitive study of its kind, Herbal Alternatives for Menopause Trial (HALT) researchers have found that black cohosh is not an effective treatment for hot flashes and night sweats in women. The study showed that menopausal symptoms decreased by 30 percent over 12 months irrespective of whether women used black cohosh or a placebo (dummy pill).

"Many women are looking for alternatives to hormone therapy which is the most proven remedy for hot flashes, and many are using alternative medicines," says Newton. "The most commonly used alternative is black cohosh."

"We were disappointed by the findings because many women want an alternative to hormone therapy, and many have assumed that black cohosh is a safe, effective choice," reports Katherine M. Newton, Ph.D., associate director of Group Health Center for Health Studies and the principal investigator of the Herbal Alternatives for Menopause Trial, or HALT. "While hormone therapy is still the most effective treatment for hot flashes, recent studies have shown that it poses serious risks."

But, in recent news… especially with the cancer risks… stay away from HRT.  A few hot flashes isn't worth the risk of cancer.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

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