Traditional medical treatment for the symptoms of menopause, such as hormone replacement therapy, come with plenty of undesirable side effects that lead women in this phase of life to seek other alternatives. Soy and soy products provide a potential option since they contain phytoestrogens that interact with the same receptors that the declining hormones of menopause do. However, the evidence linking soy consumption to a decrease in menopausal symptoms remains controversial, with some studies showing an effect and others indicating no link.
Menopause
Menopause occurs 12 months after the last menstrual period and marks the end of the fertile period of a woman's life. The hormonal changes that take place in the months before and after menopause can cause symptoms ranging from mild cramping and sadness to full-blown depression, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleep problems and mood swings. The average age of menopause in the United States is 51, according to MayoClinic.com.
Soy
Soy and products made from it, such as tofu, contain chemicals called phytoestrogens that act like estrogens in the body. Isoflavones, the main type of phytoestrogen in soy, bind to estrogen receptors, potentially replacing the estrogen lost as hormone levels decline during menopause. When metabolized in the body, some of the isoflavins in soy can be converted into another type, called equol, but only in about 30 percent of people. People able to create equol might be more likely to experience a beneficial effect from soy use during menopause, suggests the Linus Pauling Institute.
Symptoms
The primary menopausal symptom experienced during this life phase is hot flashes, a sudden sensation of being extremely warm accompanied by excessive sweating. A 2006 meta-analysis of 12 clinical trials in the journal "Maturitas" found that taking soy isoflavone supplements decreased the incidence of hot flashes, especially for women who experience a high number of hot flashes every day.
Osteoporosis
The risk of osteoporosis rises rapidly as menopause approaches and some studies suggest a link between soy isoflavone consumption and a higher bone mineral density, which is protective against osteoporosis. However, clinical trials remain mixed for this use of soy isoflavones during menopause. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends 80 to 90 mg of isoflavones in 40 g of soy protein as a potentially effective dose for osteoporosis prevention.
Considerations
Soy consumption during menopause might not be as effective as soy consumption begun earlier in life and sustained over many years. Whole soy foods seem to be more effective than soy isoflavone supplements. Consult with your doctor before taking soy supplements for menopausal symptoms. Some people are allergic to soy and should avoid it in both food and supplement form.
Member Comments