The clinical use of a preparation based on phyto-oestrogens in the treatment of menopausal disorders

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Author: Russo R, Corosu R.
Publication: Acta Biomed Ateneo Parmense. 2003 Dec;74(3):137-43.

The effect of using phyto-estrogens (soy isoflavones, genistein and daidzein) as a treatment against principal menopause symptoms can only be rightly interpreted after extensive research.

A double blind randomized study was done on 50 women to get a representative result. The group was at random divided into groups of 25 women: group 1 (with an average age of 53.3 +/- 3.5 years, and an average menopausal age of 51.6 +/- 1.8 years) and group 2 (with an average age of 53.1 +/- 2.9 years, and an average menopausal age of 51.3 +/- 1.2 years).
Group 1 did get treatment with the soy isoflavones product and group 2 with a placebo. After 3 months the group 2, originally treated with a placebo, received the phyto-estrogens and vice versa.

At different periods of the study the women had to undergo a number of examinations and answer questions about their complaints.This was done at the beginning, after three months and again at the end.

Symptoms as anxiety, insomnia or vaginal dryness were not affected by the treatment. There were also no side effects. However as to the symptoms of hot flashes, significant results were obtained. After 3 months 11 women of group 1 (given phyto-oestrogens) showed improvement of their hot flashes. Group 2 (given a placebo) had six women who experienced less hot flashes. When the treatments were reversed, group 1 (on a placebo) counted 4 women whose hot flashes had returned after six months and in group 2 (phyto-oestrogens) 11 women showed improvement of their hot flashes.

As the results of this trial show, the use this product based on phyto-oestrogens can have a positive influence on the symptoms of menopause, especially the hot flashes.