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 .
[The effects of phytoestrogen therapy on the endometrium in postmenopausal women].
AIM The purpose of the present study was to carry out a comparative histological analysis of the endometrium in postmenopausal women who made use of phytoestrogens in order to assess the efficacy and possible side effects of this therapy . METHODS This study was carried out by forming 2 groups in order to compare the results . One group was given a dietary supplement of phytoestrogens for 24 months , whereas the other was given a placebo for the same period of time . At the beginning of this study endometrial bioptical sample s were taken from those patients who had been previously selected at our University Centre . This study was started only with those postmenopausal patients whose bioptical sample was histologically suitable , and it was neither hyperplastic , nor cancerous and nor secretive . During these 24 months there have been frequent contacts aim ed at verifying the st and ard therapeutic behaviour , symptoms and appearance of side effects . At the end of the study new and final bioptical sample s of endometrium were taken from both groups . RESULTS One-hundred and forty-one patients completed the study . Five patients ( 3.4 % ) who were su bmi tted to phytoestrogens therapy showed a weak proliferative endometrium bioptical sample . All the other biopsies at the beginning and at the end of the study showed an atrophic and inactive sample . Hot flushes , night sweats , vaginal dryness and dyspareunia improved at the end of the study for the group treated with phytoestrogens as compared to the one treated with a placebo . Although there have not been very significant differences ias to symptoms and side effects , it was noted that insomnia was the most common symptom in the group treated with non-hormonal therapy based on phytoestrogens . CONCLUSIONS Phytoestrogens did not cause any sensitive and worrisome stimulation of the endometrial mucosa . Insomnia was more frequent in the group treated pharmacologically in the 24 months of the study , whereas hot flushes , night sweats , vaginal dryness and dyspareunia persisted or increased as compared to the beginning of the study in the group treated with a placebo , but this did not occur for the group treated with phytoestrogens
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 .