Weight gain in menopause: systematic review of adverse events in women treated with black cohosh

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#female #humans #cimicifuga #menopause #phytotherapy

Weight gain in menopause: systematic review of adverse events in women treated with black cohosh

Naser et al., 2022 | Climacteric | Systematic Review

Citation

Naser B, Castelo-Branco C, ... Pickartz S. Weight gain in menopause: systematic review of adverse events in women treated with black cohosh. Climacteric. 2022-Jun;25(3):220-227. doi:10.1080/13697137.2021.1973993

Abstract

Weight gain is a frequent problem in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Cimicifuga racemosa (CR) is a popular treatment option for menopausal symptoms. The aim of this review was to investigate whether there is scientific evidence that CR causes weight gain. We searched our database for medically confirmed, spontaneous adverse events regarding weight gain, literature for case reports and randomized controlled trials. Thirty cases in total were spontaneously reported in 15 years. The causality was not considered certain/likely in any of the cases. A nurse (consumer) assessed the causality as possible. Only one case was published in the literature. However, no change in body fat composition was reported, and the causality seems unlikely. Of the 31 identified studies, 17 were double-blind placebo-controlled, five were double-blind reference-controlled and nine were open reference-controlled. In total, 1839 women were treated with CR for up to 12 months. Two studies reported weight gain as an adverse event; however, no significant differences in weight changes were observed between the groups. One case of weight gain (about 2 kg) was reported, but the authors did not specify in which treatment group. In conclusion, this study provides no scientific evidence that the use of Cimicifuga racemosa causes weight gain in menopausal women.

Key Findings

In conclusion, this study provides no scientific evidence that the use of Cimicifuga racemosa causes weight gain in menopausal women.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Cimicifuga
  • Menopause
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Weight Gain

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: black-cohosh-menopause

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09