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 red clover on quality of life in post-menopausal women
Background : Due to symptoms and its complications , menopause influences the mental , psychological and physical health , social performance and familial relationships . Because of the undesirable side effects of hormone replacement therapy , tendency and desire toward alternative treatments in relieving menopausal symptoms have increased . Among the alternative therapies are herbs and among those , herbs with phytoestrogens are more preferable . Red clover is a rich source of phytoestrogens . The present study investigated the effect of red clover on quality of life in post-menopausal women . Material s and Methods : In a r and omized , triple-blind , placebo-controlled clinical trial , 72 menopausal women who at least obtained 15 scores in Kupperman Menopausal Index , after two weeks of monitoring , were r and omly allocated to receive either placebo or 45 mg of red clover isoflavones for eight weeks . Before the treatment and at the end of the study , menopause-specific quality of life question naire ( MENQOL ) was completed in the two groups . Findings : A total of 55 women completed the study , 28 subjects in red clover and 27 in placebo group . Mean score of total quality of life ( p < 0.001 in both groups ) , mean score of quality of life in vasomotor domain ( p < 0.001 in both groups ) , psycho-social domain ( p < 0.001 in red clover and p = 0.02 in placebo group ) and physical domain ( p < 0.001 red clover and p = 0.01 placebo group ) significantly reduced compared to the baseline values . However , the differences between two groups were significant neither for total quality of life nor for its domains . Red clover had no side effects and all the subjects in the red clover group were satisfied with the prescribed administration Conclusions : In the present study , the effect of red clover supplementation on menopausal women 's quality of life showed no difference with the placebo . Further clinical trials are recommended
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 .