Four trials that were not combined in meta-analyses suggested that extracts with high ( > 30 mg/d ) levels of genistein consistently reduced the frequency of hot flushes .
BACKGROUND Vasomotor symptoms , such as hot flushes and night sweats , are very common during the menopausal transition .
Hormone therapy has traditionally been used as a highly effective treatment , but concerns about increased risk of some chronic diseases have markedly increased the interest of women in alternative treatments .
Some of the most popular of these treatments are foods or supplements enriched with phytoestrogens-plant-derived chemicals that have estrogenic action .
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy , safety and acceptability of food products , extracts and dietary supplements containing high levels of phytoestrogens when compared with no treatment , placebo or hormone therapy for the amelioration of vasomotor menopausal symptoms ( such as hot flushes and night sweats ) in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women .
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over pilot study on the use of a standardized hop extract to alleviate menopausal discomforts.
OBJECTIVES To examine the efficacy of a hop extract ( st and ardized at 100mug 8-prenylnaringenin per day ) for relief of  menopausal discomforts .  METHODS A 16-week r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , cross-over study was conducted with 36 menopausal women . The participants were r and omly allocated to either placebo or active treatment ( hop extract ) for a period of eight weeks after which treatments were switched for another eight weeks . The Kupperman Index ( KI ) , the Menopause Rating Scale ( MRS ) and a multifactorial Visual Analogue Scale ( VAS ) were assessed at baseline , and after eight and sixteen weeks . RESULTS After 8 weeks , both active treatment and placebo significantly improved all outcome measures when compared to baseline with somewhat higher average reductions for placebo than for the active treatment . After 16 weeks only the active treatment after placebo further reduced all outcome measures , whereas placebo after active treatment result ed in an increase for all outcome measures . Although , the overall estimates of treatment efficacy ( active treatment-placebo ) based on linear mixed models do not show a significant effect , time-specific estimates of treatment efficacy indicate significant reductions for KI ( P = 0.02 ) and VAS ( P = 0.03 ) and a marginally significant reduction ( P = 0.06 ) for MRS after 16 weeks . CONCLUSIONS Whereas the first treatment period result ed in similar reductions in menopausal discomforts in both treatment groups , results from the second treatment period suggest superiority of the st and ardized hop extract over placebo . Thus , phytoestrogen preparations containing this st and ardized hop extract may provide an interesting alternative to women seeking relief of mild vasomotor symptoms
Four trials that were not combined in meta-analyses suggested that extracts with high ( > 30 mg/d ) levels of genistein consistently reduced the frequency of hot flushes .
BACKGROUND Vasomotor symptoms , such as hot flushes and night sweats , are very common during the menopausal transition .
Hormone therapy has traditionally been used as a highly effective treatment , but concerns about increased risk of some chronic diseases have markedly increased the interest of women in alternative treatments .
Some of the most popular of these treatments are foods or supplements enriched with phytoestrogens-plant-derived chemicals that have estrogenic action .
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy , safety and acceptability of food products , extracts and dietary supplements containing high levels of phytoestrogens when compared with no treatment , placebo or hormone therapy for the amelioration of vasomotor menopausal symptoms ( such as hot flushes and night sweats ) in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women .