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 .
Benefits of Soy Isoflavone Therapeutic Regimen on Menopausal Symptoms
OBJECTIVE To examine the change in menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors in response to 4 months of daily 100‐mg soy isoflavone in postmenopausal women . METHODS In this double‐blind , placebo‐controlled study , 80 women were r and omly assigned to isoflavone ( n = 40 ) and placebo ( n = 40 ) treatment . The menopausal Kupperman index was used to assess change in menopausal symptoms at baseline and after 4 months of treatment . Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed by evaluating plasma lipid levels , body mass index , blood pressure , and glucose levels in the participants . To examine the effects of this regime on endogenous hormone levels , follicle‐stimulating hormone ( FSH ) , luteinizing hormone ( LH ) , and 17β‐estradiol  were measured . Transvaginal sonography was performed to quantify endometrial thickness . RESULTS The data showed a decrease in menopausal symptoms ( P < .01 , paired t test , two‐tailed , between baseline and isoflavone groups , and P < .01 , unpaired t test , between placebo and isoflavone groups ) . Total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein decreased significantly in the isoflavone group compared with the baseline or placebo group ( P < .001 , paired t test , two‐tailed , between baseline and isoflavone groups , and P < .01 , unpaired t test , between placebo and isoflavone groups ) . The isoflavone treatment appeared to have no effect on blood pressure , plasma glucose , and high‐density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels . CONCLUSION This study suggests that isoflavone 100‐mg regime treatment may be a safe and effective alternative therapy for menopausal symptoms and may offer a benefit to the cardiovascular system
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 .