There is no evidence of effectiveness in the alleviation of  menopausal symptoms with the use of phytoestrogen treatments
BACKGROUND Vasomotor symptoms , such as hot flushes and night sweats , are very common during the menopausal transition .
Hormone replacement therapy has traditionally been used as a very effective treatment but concerns over increased risks of some chronic diseases have markedly increased the interest of women in alternatives .
Some of the most popular of these are treatments based on foods or supplements enriched with phytoestrogens , plant-derived chemicals that have oestrogenic action .
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy , safety and acceptability of foods and supplements based on high levels of phytoestrogens for reducing hot flushes and night sweats in postmenopausal women .
Short-term effects of a combination of isoflavones, lignans and Cimicifuga racemosa on climacteric-related symptoms in postmenopausal women: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
The present study aim ed to evaluate the short-term effects of a combination of isoflavones , lignans and Cimicifuga racemosa on acute climacteric-related symptoms in postmenopausal women in a double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled trial performed at the menopause clinic of our department . Eighty healthy postmenopausal women were r and omly assigned to two treatment groups – one receiving the combination ( group A , n = 40 ) , the other receiving calcium supplements ( group B , n = 40 ) – for three cycles of 28 days . Climacteric-related symptoms were evaluated by the Kupperman index ( KI ) at baseline and after the three cycles of treatment . At baseline no significant difference was detected in KI between groups A and B ; however , after three cycles of treatment , KI was significantly ( p < 0.05 ) lower in group A compared with baseline and with group B. We conclude that the administration of a combination of isoflavones , lignans and C. racemosa already reduces acute climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women after 3 months of treatment . This prompt effect is probably due to the different pharmacokinetic properties of isoflavones and lignans ; isoflavones are absorbed faster than lignans , while lignans are removed later . The combination of these molecules can guarantee a better reduction of postmenopausal symptoms over a 24-h period
There is no evidence of effectiveness in the alleviation of  menopausal symptoms with the use of phytoestrogen treatments
BACKGROUND Vasomotor symptoms , such as hot flushes and night sweats , are very common during the menopausal transition .
Hormone replacement therapy has traditionally been used as a very effective treatment but concerns over increased risks of some chronic diseases have markedly increased the interest of women in alternatives .
Some of the most popular of these are treatments based on foods or supplements enriched with phytoestrogens , plant-derived chemicals that have oestrogenic action .
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy , safety and acceptability of foods and supplements based on high levels of phytoestrogens for reducing hot flushes and night sweats in postmenopausal women .