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 .
Phyto-Female Complex for the relief of hot flushes, night sweats and quality of sleep: Randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study
Objective . To determine the efficacy and safety of the herbal formula Phyto-Female Complex ( SupHerb , Netanya , Israel ; ingredients : st and ardized extracts of black cohosh , dong quai , milk thistle , red clover , American ginseng , chaste-tree berry ) for the relief of menopausal symptoms . Methods . A r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial in 50 healthy pre and postmenopausal women , aged 44–65 years , to whom oral Phyto-Female Complex or matched placebo was prescribed twice daily for 3 months . A structured question naire on the frequency and intensity of menopausal symptoms was administered weekly from one week before throughout the 3-month treatment period , followed by biochemical tests , breast check , and transvaginal ultrasonography . Results . The women receiving Phyto-Female Complex reported a significantly superior mean reduction in menopausal symptoms than the placebo group . The effect of treatment improvements in menopausal symptoms increased over time ; by 3 months there was a 73 % decrease in hot flushes and a 69 % reduction of night sweats , accompanied by a decrease in their intensity and a significant benefit in terms of sleep quality . Hot flushes ceased completely in 47 % of women in the study group compared with only 19 % in the placebo group . There were no changes in findings on vaginal ultrasonography or levels of relevant hormones ( estradiol , follicle-stimulating hormone ) , liver enzymes or thyroid-stimulating hormone in either group . Conclusion . Phyto-Female Complex is safe and effective for the relief of hot flushes and sleep disturbances in pre- and postmenopausal women , at least for 3 months ' use
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 .