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 .
Soy extract phytoestrogens with high dose of isoflavones for menopausal symptoms.
AIM The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a st and ardized compound based on an extract of soy phytoestrogens , with high doses of isoflavones in the management of  menopausal hot flushes . METHODS A total of 180 women aged 40 - 65 years with a minimum of five moderate-to-severe hot flushes in the last 7 days at baseline and absence of menstruation for at least 6 months participated in a 12-week prospect i ve , r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled multicenter trial . After a 2-week run-in period , women received one tablet a day of 80 mg isoflavones ( corresponding to 60 mg of genistein ) or a matching placebo . RESULTS The mean daily number of moderate-to-severe hot flushes decreased in both study groups , but the reduction was greater in the isoflavones arm at 6 ( 36.2 % ) and 12 weeks ( 41.2 % ) than in the placebo arm ( 24.0 % at 6 weeks , 29.3 % at 12 weeks ) , with a difference of 1.1 ( 95 % CI [ -2.0 to -0.06 ] ) ( P = 0.038 ) at 6 weeks and 1.1 ( 95 % CI [ -2.05 to -0.15 ] ) ( P = 0.023 ) at 12 weeks . Similar findings were obtained for hot flushes of any intensity . The Kupperman index decreased in both study groups . Relief of hot flushes was greater when time to menopause was > or=12 months and in cases of BMI > or=27 kg/m(2 ) . CONCLUSION In daily practice conditions , high doses of isoflavones , particularly genistein , can be used for the management of hot flushes in postmenopausal women not treated with hormone replacement therapy due to their superior efficacy to placebo and very good safety profile
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 .