Anyone tried Remifemin (black cohosh)?

[emily_in_nc]

Has anyone tried this, and did it help you with menopausal symptoms?

I think I am finally in actual menopause as I have not had a real period since May. I had a little light spotting in September, but it never turned into a real period. I've been having lots of hot flashes in bed at night in the past couple of months. I have very few during the day. During my 40s (I'm 52 now), I'd have intense night sweats at times, usually the night before I got my period; I assume from my progesterone levels dropping precipitously. These are less intense (i.e., I don't have to get up and change my jammies!) but still uncomfortable and annoying, as I have to keep throwing off the covers off and on all night long sometimes.

Just bought a box of Remifemin today at Wallyworld and am crossing my fingers.

Thanks!

[snapdragen]

I did, a few years ago. If I remember correctly, it did help me. It was also the only OTC remedy my acupuncturist recommended.

[OakLeaf]

I tried a different brand of black cohosh a few years ago. It aggravated my breast tenderness and had no noticeable effect on other symptoms. IIRC, without looking it up, isn't that a phytoestrogen - so if your problem is estrogen dominance and insufficient progesterone, as mine seemed to be, it might not be what you want?

[Grits]

I started a plain, black cohosh only supplement that I get at Target a couple of months ago, and I have noticed an improvement in reduction of hot flashes. The improvement started very soon after I began taking them - probably within a week.

[emily_in_nc]

I tried a different brand of black cohosh a few years ago. It aggravated my breast tenderness and had no noticeable effect on other symptoms. IIRC, without looking it up, isn't that a phytoestrogen - so if your problem is estrogen dominance and insufficient progesterone, as mine seemed to be, it might not be what you want?

It's not a phytoestrogen, according to their site, anyway: http://www.remifemin.com.au/q_a.asp (see second question). I read an article stating that it was believed to work on serotonin levels. A bit surprising, but if it's a "happy pill", then I'll not complain!

I did try Progest projesterone cream a few years ago when I was having the bad night sweats, but I felt that it made my breast tenderness and swelling before periods much worse. I still have a tube of it but haven't wanted to try it as I am loving not having any breast tenderness now.

I read a few online articles about Remifemin last night, and it appears that a lot of gynecologists recommend it for their patients who do not want to go the HRT route. Apparently it's one of the few sources of black cohosh that is manufactured in a controlled manner so you know exactly the dosage you are getting, and so forth. There have been good results with it in clinical studies. I hope I'm one of the lucky ones!

Thanks to those who replied.

[Crankin]

I took black cohosh for at least 2 years and it did nothing. It wasn't Remifemin, but a brand of homeopathic remedy recommended by my pharmacy, that is also a compounding pharmacy (this was before that little problem we had with our state lab!). I think it might work for some people, though, but basically, I treated hot flashes with drinking lots of water and exercise.

[emily_in_nc]

I took black cohosh for at least 2 years and it did nothing. It wasn't Remifemin, but a brand of homeopathic remedy recommended by my pharmacy, that is also a compounding pharmacy (this was before that little problem we had with our state lab!). I think it might work for some people, though, but basically, I treated hot flashes with drinking lots of water and exercise.

I'm already doing lots of water and exercise, but since 95% of my flashes occur at night, that doesn't seem to have any impact. I read in my research that if black cohosh hasn't helped in 2 months, it's probably not going to. I'm going to do a trial no longer than that, and if it doesn't work, I'll stop. I'll try to remember to check back and post my experience in case it might help someone else.