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Soy for Hot Flash Relief

May 12, 2011 | By Amanda Lynch
Soy for Hot Flash Relief
Photo Credit Soy beans on green leaf image by Monika 3 Steps Ahead from Fotolia.com

One minute you're just sitting there placidly, the next you are drenched in sweat. Menopause brings with it a variety of symptoms, some of which are more annoying than others. Many women -- as many as three out of four -- experience what are called "hot flashes," sudden feelings of being overheated, flushed and even slightly short of breath. To treat hot flashes, some women opt to use soy, which can act as a synthetic estrogen.

What Causes Hot Flashes

As you go through menopause, the amount of the hormone estrogen in your body is decreasing. For some reason -- experts still aren't sure exactly why -- the reduction in estrogen has an effect on your hypothalamus, the part of your brain responsible for temperature regulation. Your hypothalamus decides that that you are hot and transmits this message to the rest of the brain. Your brain in turn rallies your body to begin taking steps toward cooling itself: Your blood vessels dilate, your heart rate increases and your sweat glands kick into overdrive. According to breastcancer.org, up to 85 percent of women experience hot flashes associated with menopause.

Why People Might Opt for Soy

If your hot flash or other menopausal symptoms are disrupting your life, you probably are seeking treatment. But standard estrogen therapy is not for everyone. While estrogen is effective in reducing hot flashes and other unpleasant menopausal symptoms, unless you have undergone a hysterectomy you should take a combination therapy with estrogen and progesterone to help prevent cancer of the uterine lining. Unfortunately, with any estrogen therapy, there is an increased risk of heart disease. You and your health care provider should thoroughly discuss your options before you begin taking estrogen. Because of the increased cardiovascular risk associated with estrogen, many people instead explore soy-based therapies. You also might want to discuss with your physician the possibility of using soy instead of estrogen.

Soy to Treat Hot Flashes

Since soy has some similar properties to the hormone estrogen, it seems natural that researchers would explore it as a replacement for estrogen in treating hot flashes. A study published in the November 2000 issue of "Menopause" found that women who had been experiencing upwards of five hot flashes per day experienced relief within two weeks of beginning a soy isoflavone regimen of 50 mg per day. Additionally, this study found that the soy did not have an effect on the women's uterine lining, as is a concern with estrogen.

Another similar study found that although soy itself was rather effective at reducing the number and severity of hot flashes, it was not very helpful in treating other unpleasant menopause symptoms, such as stiff joints, fatigue and bloating.

Black Cohosh for Hot Flashes

While soy appears to be effective in addressing some people's hot flashes, there are people who cannot take soy due to allergies. If you are in this situation, you might want to consider black cohosh. Black cohosh has been used for centuries to treat symptoms associated with menopause and menstrual cramps. Although it is generally regarded as safe, the evidence for whether black cohosh is helpful is inconsistent. Some studies have found it to be helpful, while others have failed to do so. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, many physicians do not recommend taking it for more than six months at a time due to a lack of evidence that it is safe and effective beyond that period.

Before you begin any regimen, including an alternative or herbal regimen, talk with your healthcare provider.

References

Article reviewed by Shawn Candela Last updated on: May 12, 2011

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