Soya in Menopause

Menopause marks the end of the female reproductive cycle with decreased production of estrogen. Easing the irritating side effects of menopause such as hot flashes and moodiness can be accomplished with hormone therapy or naturally with herbal and nutritional support. If you have decided that hormone replacement therapy is not for you, consider the powerful effects soy's phytoestrogens may have on your body.

The Peri-Menopausal Years

• Hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, diminished sex drive and weight gain in the tummy area are just a few of the bothersome symptoms women in their late 30s to mid 40s report. During the peri-menopausal years ovarian function is erratic as estrogen production slows. You may notice irregular menstrual cycles -- longer, heavier or lighter than usual, or you may miss a cycle altogether. Though some aspects of menopause may be disconcerting, menopause itself is a natural transition for the body which requires no medical treatment.

How Soy Works

• Soy is a rich source of plant compounds called phytoestrogens, which behave like estrogen in the body. In some women ingested soy products metabolize into esquol, a weak estrogen. However, not every woman's body responds in the same manner. Therefore, some women will experience great relief in menopausal side effects, while others experience no noticeable change whatsoever.

Soy - Pluses and Minuses

• Soy foods may reduce cholesterol levels, especially if incorporated with other cholesterol-lowering foods such as garlic, flaxseed and oat bran. Soy has also been associated with improved insulin levels in post-menopausal women with diabetes, this lowering their cardiovascular risks for heart attack and stroke. When adding soy to your diet to alleviate menopausal symptoms or reduce cardiovascular risks, allow 6 to 12 weeks for the treatment to take effect.

  Soy may or may not have a noticeable impact on frequency of hot flashes. A study conducted at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine in North Carolina on soy and menopause found that peri-menopausal women taking a soy supplement reported a 50 percent reduction in the severity of their hot flashes. However, the placebo group also reported a reduction in severity of 35 percent. The study showed small reductions in the severity of hot flashes, but the frequency of the hot flashes changed very little.

Post-Menopause

• Menopause marks the time in a woman's life when the ovaries stop releasing eggs and menstrual cycles cease. Menopause occurs for most women somewhere between the ages of 45 and 55. Physicians consider the change to post-menopausal as complete when you have not had a period for 12 consecutive months. The bothersome symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and night sweats decrease; however health risks (heart disease, hypertension and osteoporosis) which estrogen is thought to protect women from, go up. Eating soy products even after menopause has been completed may be helpful.

Expert Insight

• Experts recommend 25 to 60 grams of soy protein ingested in food form and not powders or pills. And while soy is a healthy choice for many menopausal women, the Mayo Clinic includes soy in its list of the top eight food allergens, along with dairy (milk and eggs), peanuts, fish, shellfish, tree nuts and wheat. Many women may not experience a full-blown allergic reaction but instead a "sensitivity" to soy. This means that ingesting small amounts of soy won't cause a problem, but eating large amounts will guarantee an allergic reaction such as itching, hives, swelling of the lips, runny nose or wheezing.