Black cohosh and Headaches: What Users Say

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2020

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I began taking black cohosh about 2 months ago for hot flashes. I just stopped taking it today. I have figured out that it must be the black cohosh making me sick. At one point, I thought I had COVID-19! I was tested and was negative. I have been suffering from cramps, diarrhea, headache, constipation, rash, nausea, extreme feeling of heaviness, dizziness, and weight gain! I had no idea black cohosh had horrible side effects for many. I’ll take the hot flashes any day over these side effects. I am probably going to go back on an estrogen patch or cream. I came off of the patch about 4 years ago for safety and health reasons."

• tst...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2012

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I get the dried organic root from Mountain Rose Herbs. I put about two heaping tablespoons in a tea strainer, pour boiling hot water over it in a cup, cover the cup, and steep for 15 minutes. The tea is very bitter, but my hot flashes are all but gone. They went away almost instantly, and my mood has dramatically improved. Would highly recommend this to anyone. No headaches, no side effects, drink 2 cups per day."

• pat...
• October 3, 2011

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have only taken the supplement for 1 day, and I was wondering about the headache and lightheadedness. But my sweats have been reduced tremendously. I went from 1 every other hour to 4 in one day with just taking morning and night pill. I am so happy to finally find something to help with this menopause. I'll take an Advil and get rid of the headache. I'm satisfied."

• Ksg...
• May 7, 2021

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I tried Black Cohosh after four different hormonal therapy therapies caused severe heart palpitations and other negative side effects. I don't recall how long I've been taking it but estimate it to be 12+ months. Recent lab work indicated severe inflammation of my liver. Per discussion with a new physician and research, I now believe this herbal supplement to be the cause as well as why I've been experiencing headaches, weight gain, severe tiredness, and brain fog. I stopped taking it a week ago and already feel much better. I so wish I could have figured out the cause earlier as I haven't felt well for the past year. Black Cohosh did eliminate the hot flashes for me, but not worth the other side effects. My doctor did lecture me on taking supplements that are not FDA-approved - lesson learned."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2021

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I started taking black cohosh to help ease hot flashes. I'm almost a week in, and although the hot flashes eased off a tiny bit, the side effects are horrendous. I've been waking up with excruciating headaches that taper off really slowly throughout the day. I'm constantly rushing to the bathroom due to diarrhea. Stomach is crampy and gassy, and experiencing bouts of dizziness. I tossed them in the trash this morning. I'll take the hot flashes over the debilitating side effects any day."

• Lea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2020

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I started taking black cohosh for hot flashes and night sweats as recommended by my doctor. I’m about 1 month in, and the side effects are headaches, cramps, palpitations, increased blood pressure, and dizziness. I have stopped taking it and will suffer with the hot flashes... I do not recommend it at all."

• Coa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2020

For Herbal Supplementation "I started black cohosh 1 week ago for perimenopause and just realized, after thinking I was experiencing a kidney infection or maybe even about to pass a stone, that it is from this supplement! I've never had any issues with either my entire life, but something has been very wrong. Very nauseous, daily throbbing headaches, and extremely bloated! I am so thankful something told me to look this up! In the trash they shall go!!!!"

• Wen...
• January 29, 2020

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "Took one pill for the first time to treat hot flashes and night sweats. While I haven't had any hot flashes today, I have had a headache all day and one bout of dizziness. I overall feel tired and like I have lead in my shoes. I don't think it's worth the trade-off."

• Anonymous
• May 24, 2022

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I took 150 mg a day for about a week when I woke up one morning with debilitating dizziness. I could barely move all day. The next day was a tiny bit better, but this continued for several days. I thought I had vertigo! I was a little nauseous, so dizzy, headaches, felt heavy, was retaining water, my stomach was bad, and I was so bloated (the way I used to feel before my period). I finally realized that it must be the black cohosh, and sure enough, read about all the possible side effects that I didn’t know about. I stopped taking it about 5 days ago, and I’m very slowly starting to feel better. If you are someone who is sensitive to medication, DO NOT TAKE THIS!! It literally made me sick."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2021

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "My naturopath gave it to me for the hot flashes. The first dose, I was up all night with anxiety and my heart beating really hard, insomnia, and I felt like garbage, joints hurt, TMJ, worst headache ever, constantly using the bathroom. Advil didn’t help at all. When it was time to get up, I could barely make myself breakfast, and about a half hour later, the headache was overwhelming, and I had to call out sick from work. I slept for 2 hours while constantly getting hot flashes (I generally don’t get them during the day), and my jaw clenched tight, and the headache still hasn't gone away. Totally not taking this again. My headache was so bad I got a COVID test to make sure that wasn’t it."

• Nop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2023

"Within 24 hours, started heavily spotting, within 48 hours, still spotting heavily (as much as a heavy menstrual cycle) with migraine and nausea. Within 4 days, rash across my face and neck, and still spotting, so I stopped taking it. Headaches/migraines/nausea stopped, so did spotting, and I felt enormously improved. I did experience slightly elevated mood while taking it, but the side effects were too extreme. I’ve not spotted mid-cycle before, so I’m confident in the causation. I am not menopausal but show some pre-/peri-menopause symptoms (irregularity is not one of them), such as lower estrogen."

• Mag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2022

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "Black cohosh did not work. I took one pill for four nights. My belly swelled bigger every day. I was violently ill. Vomiting, headache 1,000 times worse than a migraine for 10 hours, and diarrhea. It's been four days, and I am still nauseous. Antacids, dry toast, and chicken soup are all I can stomach. I cannot wait for it to wear off. Never again will I try voodoo witch doctor remedies."