Soy Pills for Menopause

For women, menopause may be a natural part of growing older, but that doesn't mean it's without its frustrations. Hot flashes and mood swings are immediately apparent, while conditions like osteoporosis may only become evident years down the line. Some women choose hormone replacement therapy, but others look to natural methods for symptom relief.

Why Soy?

• Soy contains phytoestrogens, which are plant-based estrogens that function like human estrogen. Some scientists believe that replacing the body's natural estrogen lost during menopause with phytoestrogens may help lessen the symptoms of menopause.

Bone Loss

• The National Osteoporosis Foundation reported on two studies that examined bone loss in postmenopausal women, comparing women taking placebos to women taking high-dose soy extracts. After two years, the bone loss was almost identical in both groups, showing that there was little benefit to soy extracts.

Hot Flashes

• The Journal of Clinical Oncology reported the result of a double-blind clinical trial of over 150 postmenopausal breast cancer survivors that reported significant hot flashes. At the end of nine weeks, 33 percent reported relief with the soy product. Thirty-seven percent reported relief with the placebo and 31 percent preferred neither. The study concluded that the soy product did not relieve hot flashes.

Supplements or Soy Foods?

• There are some indications that eating soy foods may be more beneficial than soy supplements. A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine in September 2005 found that consuming soy foods was associated with a lower risk of bone fracture. In Japan, soy foods are part of daily life, and women are only 1/3 as likely to complain of menopausal symptoms.

Sources of Phytoestrogens

• Foods such as tofu, tempeh, soymilk and soy nuts are all sources of phytoestrogens. You may also choose to take soy pills or soy powders. Other plants are sources of phytoestrogens, including herbs like black cohosh, wild yam, dong quai and valerian root. These herbs are available in pills or creams.