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 .
A first prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the use of a standardized hop extract to alleviate menopausal discomforts.
OBJECTIVES To examine the efficacy of a hop extract enriched in 8-prenylnaringenin ( 8-PN , the phytoestrogen in hops , Humulus lupulus L. ) on relief of  menopausal discomforts .  METHODS A prospect i ve , r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled study over 12 weeks with 67 menopausal women , who were administered a hop extract st and ardized on 8-PN ( 100 or 250 microg ) . The responses were determined by means of a modified Kupperman index ( KI ) and a patients ' question naire . RESULTS All groups , including placebo , showed a significant reduction of the KI both after 6 weeks and after 12 weeks . The hop extract at 100 microg 8-PN was significantly superior to placebo after 6 weeks ( P=0.023 ) but not after 12 weeks ( P=0.086 ) . No dose-response relationship could be established , as the higher dose ( 250 microg ) was less active than the lower dose both after 6 weeks and after 12 weeks . Still , a trend for a more rapid decrease of KI was noticed for both active groups as compared to placebo . In particular , the decrease in hot flush score ( isolated from the KI ) was found significant for both treatment groups after 6 weeks ( P<0.01 ) with respect to placebo . Results of the patients ' question naire were consistent with those of the KI , with the most pronounced effects being observed for the 100-microg treatment . CONCLUSIONS Daily intake of a hop extract , st and ardized on 8-PN as a potent phytoestrogen , exerted favorable effects on vasomotor symptoms and other menopausal discomforts . Hop-derived prenylated flavonoids may provide an attractive addition to the alternative treatments available for relief of hot flushes and other menopausal discomforts
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 .