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 .
Evaluation of effect of isoflavone on thyroid economy & autoimmunity in oophorectomised women: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Background and objectives : The potential of soy isoflavones to interfere with thyroid function has been reported . However , there are limited data regarding their effect on thyroid function and autoimmunity in surgical menopausal women . The present study aim ed to evaluate the effect of isoflavones on thyroid function and autoimmunity , menopausal symptoms , serum follicle stimulating hormone ( FSH ) and estradiol levels in oophorectomised women . Methods : A r and omized , double blind , placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 43 oophorectomised women to evaluate the effect of soy isoflavones ( 75 mg/day for 12 wk ) on serum thyroid profile ( free T3 , free T4 , TSH , TBG and anti-TPO antibody titres ) assessed at baseline , 6 and 12 wk after r and omization . Assessment was also done for menopause symptom score ( MSS ) three weekly , and FSH and estradiol levels at baseline and at study completion . Results : There was a significant alteration in free T 3 levels in the group receiving isoflavones ( 4.05 ± 0.36 , 4.12 ± 0.69 and 3.76 ± 0.55 pmol/l at baseline , 6 and 12 wk , respectively ; P=0.02 ) . However , the mean change in various thyroid parameters at 12 wk from baseline was not significantly different between the two groups . MSS was also significantly decreased at 9 and 12 wk from baseline with isoflavones ( 12.47 ± 8.15 , 9.35 ± 5.23 and 9 ± 5.14 at baseline , 9 and 12 wk respectively ; P=0.004 ) with significant improvement in urogenital symptoms  compared to placebo . Isoflavones did not significantly affect other parameters during study period . There were no serious adverse events reported and the proportion of patients experiencing adverse events was similar between the two groups . Interpretation and conclusions : Modest reduction in serum free T3 levels in the isoflavone group in the absence of any effect on other thyroid parameters might be considered clinical ly unimportant
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 .