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 .
Safety and efficacy of black cohosh and red clover for the management of vasomotor symptoms: a randomized controlled trial
Objective : The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of black cohosh and red clover compared with placebo for the relief of  menopausal vasomotor symptoms .  Methods : This study was a r and omized , four-arm , double-blind clinical trial of st and ardized black cohosh , red clover , placebo , and 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens plus 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate ( CEE/MPA ; n = 89 ) . Primary outcome measures were reduction in vasomotor symptoms ( hot flashes and night sweats ) by black cohosh and red clover compared with placebo ; secondary outcomes included safety evaluation , reduction of somatic symptoms , relief of sexual dysfunction , and overall improvement in quality of life . Results : Reductions in number of vasomotor symptoms after a 12-month intervention were as follows : black cohosh ( 34 % ) , red clover ( 57 % ) , placebo ( 63 % ) , and CEE/MPA ( 94 % ) , with only CEE/MPA differing significantly from placebo . Black cohosh and red clover did not significantly reduce the frequency of vasomotor symptoms as compared with placebo . Secondary measures indicated that both botanicals were safe as administered . In general , there were no improvements in other menopausal symptoms . Conclusions : Compared with placebo , black cohosh and red clover did not reduce the number of vasomotor symptoms . Safety monitoring indicated that chemically and biologically st and ardized extracts of black cohosh and red clover were safe during daily administration for 12 months
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 .