Background: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa L.) in treating early\r\nmenopausal symptoms.\r\nMethods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 84 early post-menopausal\r\nparticipants with Greene climacteric scale (GCS) scores of 15 to 42, who were referred to two public health care centers\r\nin Tehran, Iran, in 2011ââ?¬â??2012. The participants were randomly allocated into treatment (6.5 mg of dried extract of Black\r\ncohosh roots daily) and control (placebo) groups with a ratio of 1:1. The participants took one tablet per day for 8 weeks.\r\nThe GCS scores were recorded at baseline, and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Data analysis was carried out using a\r\ngeneral linear model with repeated measures with SPSS software. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.\r\nResults: There was no loss to follow-up during the 8 weeks of treatment. The GCS total score (primary outcome)\r\nin the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group at both week 4 [adjusted mean\r\ndifference: -7.8 (95% confidence interval: -11.1 to -4.4)] and week 8 [-12.9 (-16.2 to -9.3)]. The treatment group\r\nshowed significantly more improvement than the control group in all GCS subscale scores (vasomotor, psychiatric,\r\nphysical, and sexual symptoms; secondary outcomes). The differences between the treatment and control groups at\r\nweek 8 were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those at week 4 in terms of the total scores and the vasomotor and\r\npsychiatric subscale scores. No side effects were reported.\r\nConclusions: Black cohosh reduced the GCS total score and all GCS subscale scores (vasomotor, psychiatric, physical,\r\nand sexual symptoms) during 4 and 8 weeks of treatment.
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