Women going through menopause experience a decrease in female hormones, specifically estrogen, that triggers the uncomfortable symptoms of hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances and vaginal dryness. Approximately 40 percent of women seek medical treatment for these symptoms, according to "American Family Physician". Many women; however, seek alternative treatments such as using natural substances found in foods including compounds known as phytoestrogens.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
In the past when a woman went to her doctor to complain of menopause symptoms, he was quick to prescribe hormone replacement therapy, known as HRT. HRT therapy requires the patient to take synthetic estrogen or estrogen and progestin together. Although HRT successfully relieves menopause symptoms and may protect against postmenopausal diseases such as osteoporosis and heart disease, a study conducted by the Women's Health Initiative found it increases the risk for stroke, heart attack, blood clots and breast cancer. These findings prompted women and their doctors to study the effectiveness of natural plant compounds known as phytoestrogens.
Phytoestrogens
Plants produce chemicals, known as phytochemicals, that can interact with hormones or hormone receptors in animals and humans. Phytochemicals that produce an estrogen-like response or bind to estrogen receptors are known as phytoestrogens. The Bioenvironmental Research Group at Tulane University reports that phytoestrogens are the most studied plant compound due to their potential use for treating the symptoms of menopause.
Benefits
Phytoestrogens bind to estrogen receptors in the body. In the case of decreased levels of estrogen, such as during menopause, this can relieve symptoms caused by the lack of estrogen. By tricking the body into thinking estrogen is present, phytoestrogens may reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats. Studies utilizing soy foods that contain the phytoestrogen isoflavone found that eating soy can reduce the number of hot flashes by 10 to 20 percent, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Flaxseeds also contain phytoestrogens and a study reported by the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women's Health reveals that ingesting 40 grams of crushed flaxseeds per day for six weeks may reduce hot flashes by 50 percent. Women in menopause also experience an increase in LDL cholesterol levels, the type of cholesterol that increases the risk for heart disease. Eating foods containing phytoestrogens can help keep cholesterol levels down.
Disadvantages
Although a natural compound, phytoestrogens in foods may also cause health disadvantages. Phytoestrogen compounds may cause side effects such as abdominal distention and mild diarrhea. Because phytoestrogens mimic estrogen, they may increase the risk for estrogen-dependent cancers such as breast cancer, especially in women who have already gone through menopause.
References
- "American Family Physician": Alternative Therapies for Menopause Symptoms; November 1, 2006
- Women's Health Initiative: Facts About Hormone Replacement Therapy; June 2005
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women's Health: Phytoestrogens and Menopause; January 2009
- Bioenvironmental Research Group at Tulane University: Phytoestrogens
- Linus Pauling Institute: Soy Isoflavones; Victoria Drake; December 2009
