More than 50% of menopausal women will experience hot flashes and are the most common symptom that women are seeking treatment for.
Compounds in soy known as isoflavones including genistein, daidzein and glycitein are known to bind estrogen receptors. The interaction of isoflavones like genistein with estrogen receptor is believed to lower the number of hot flashes that women are experiencing during menopause.
The objective of this clinical trial was to determine if genistein could decrease menopausal symptoms in healthy women.
The results were published in Maturitas.
Here are the study details:
– Study Design: Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial
– 82 people completed the clinical trial
– Dose: 30 mg of genistein was taken daily for 12 weeks
– To be eligible women had to experience >40 hot flashes per week
Here are the main results for Genistein and hot flashes:
– A decrease in the duration of hot flashes was observed
– A decrease in severity of hot flashes was observed
| Genistein (n = 40) | Placebo (n = 42) | |
| Total hot flash duration (min/day) | ||
| Week 0 (baseline) | 23.63 | 37.95 |
| Week 12 | 11.86 | 22.65 |
| Average severity of hot flash (scale 0–3; 0 = none 3 = severe) | ||
| Week 0 (baseline) | 1.86 | 2.06 |
| Week 12 | 1.7 | 1.96 |
The authors had this to say
Based on the large body of safety data, including research in two animal species and in studies up to three years in duration in humans, synthetic genistein may be viewed as a safe alternative to estrogen for short term use for the alleviation of menopause-related hot flushes.
Take away message:
This study provides evidence that genistein at a dose of 30 mg could reduce hot flashes during menopause. If you or someone you know is looking for a different approach for controlling hot flashes genistein may be an option you should consider talking to your doctor about.
Reference: The effect of synthetic genistein on menopause symptom management in healthy postmenopausal women: a multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Maturitas. 201; Volume 68 (Issue 2):189-96.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Clinical Trials, Menopause, Plant Medicine, Women's Health