I went through early menopause (late 30's), and was on HRT until it was shown NOT to be beneficial. My GYN recommended black cohosh, too, specially Remifemin. She (my GYN) said that is was the only black cohosh that consistently contains the correct dosage. A lot of the black cohosh found in health food stores are inconsistent in their dosage.

When I was finally through my hot flash phase, I had to come off the black cohosh gradually. Each week, I would lower my dosage in increments, taking x number of pills one week, y the next, and z the following, until I was completely off the pills.

HTH,
Ellen

Here is a link that might be useful: Remifemin

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I've used black cohosh for hot flashes and it does work.

Since getting off of HRT, and going through radiation for breast cancer, I have hot flashes every 10 minutes, usually when I'm sleeping. It's horrible. Since I stopped taking Femara, it's getting a little better.
I will try black cohosh. I will try anything at this point! lol.

I have used black cohosh for hot flashes in the past and it worked! But after about the 2nd month it stopped helping. Just last year I gave it another try and again it was short-term relief. Hot flashes have been plaguing me for 4 years now. If someone had told me that I would be looking forward to winter, I never would have believed it. Bring on the cold weather!

I worked really had at it, and managed to take nothing. To many side effects with everything I read about.

But it sure was a long time. Like Moonie, Winter was the easiest season.

My best tip for you, wear layers. The thinnest layer you can at skin level. That way, you can always take some clothes off, when it hits you.

Moni

REMEMBER homeopathic medicines should be used with care, just as any other medication being prescribed. If you are using homeopathic medicines make sure you let your regular physician know. There can be the same interactions, side effects and problems with homeo as wstrn meds.
Black Cohosh is a fairly good remedy for hot flashes and it also relieves mild cramping. I used it for a short time. There are side effects that can be harmful. Besides the fact most people don't take it correctly. You should be on a, use for a few months/stop using few months, cycle.

1. If you are still experiencing menstrual cycles you do not want to use it. It will cause extreme heavy discharges.
2. If you are planning any surgery stop taking it at least one month before. Emergency surgery? Well bleeding out has been known to happen.
3. Cuts or wounds take longer to heal and bleeding is much harder to stop so have a topical coagulating agent (stepic pencil or such) around. I have constant nicks and cuts happening on my hands and fingers while gardening and or crafting.
4. Your immune system can be compromised so it needs a boost if you take the Black Cohosh take echinecea, golden seal and vitamin c (manganese too would be helpful).

The only way I found beneficial in really stopping the HOT Flashes was to donate blood to the blood bank every 6 weeks. Donate the blood, drink plenty of fluids and exercise regularly. Didn't have another hot flash until I stopped donating blood.

LIL

Jasdip.....I was going in for my first colonoscopy, last week....ok...and flax seed came up on my Google search as a stool softener. It recommended taking 4 TBL crushed....so you may have some side effects. :0)

Ahh, Nicole. I've always read that 2 tbsp per day is optimum.
It's easy, putting it on hot oatmeal, in muffins or pancakes and on yogurt.

That explains why Smudge-the-yogurt-loving-cat (who practically has his nose in your bowl) had some softies a couple times. He only gets to lick the bowl, and sometimes a tsp of yogurt.

Years ago, 30 years, after having a hysterectomy, my doctor put me on HRT...A few years ago, I decided to wean myself off, just because I hated paying the money...Well, after a couple of weeks I was ready to kill someone...When I told my heart doctor, he said, my body needed that replacement and then recommended we cut the dosage in half...I've been a happy camper every since..

jasdip.....their idea of a stool softener and a colon cleanse = same thing! ha ha So yeah.....2 TBL is a lot! and yes, I use flax seed in my bread baking so I keep it on hand. Yogurt with raw oatmeal or flax is good!!!!!

liljunkr said:

The only way I found beneficial in really stopping the HOT Flashes was to donate blood to the blood bank every 6 weeks. Donate the blood, drink plenty of fluids and exercise regularly. Didn't have another hot flash until I stopped donating blood.

That's so interesting! Do you happen to know what is the reason for this?

I'm 53 years old and the blood tests say I haven't gone through menopause yet darn it but I sure have seen my friends experience hot flashes and hope that I don't get them when my time comes.

I'll let them know about the flax.

Anne

sjerin asked:

That's so interesting! Do you happen to know what is the reason for this?

I'm not sure but when I was told by a very sweet 94 year old woman how well it worked for her I tried it. It worked for me also. My theory has been it may be because when you donate blood that nearly a pint low has thinned your blood and the fluid intake for replacing it thins it just a bit more. Black Cohosh is a natural blood thinner, as is Evening of Primrose Oil and has worked preventing Hot Flashes for many women too. Another effect was I didn't get bothered by mosquitoes either, when everyone else was getting bit up, for days after giving blood.

Now that I can't donate the blood or use the Cohosh or Evening of Primrose Oil the hot flashes have come back and increased to a few a day. I have changed the name to POWER SURGES but they are still a PITA.

LIL