Soy Doesn’t Help Hot Flashes

Increasing soy intake does not appear to help menopausal women handle hot flashes. Ever since the Women’s Health Initiative study revealed that hormone replacement therapy is associated with a greater risk of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes, women have been looking for natural alternatives. Soy isoflavones are frequently recommended to help ease menopausal symptoms. But a new study from the University of Miami has found that soy isoflavones were not helpful.
Nearly 250 middle-aged women were randomly assigned to receive either 200 mg of soy compounds or a placebo every day for two years. At the end of the study there were no differences between the two groups with respect to bone mineral density, insomnia, night sweats, libido, vaginal dryness or hot flashes. Hot flashes and constipation were actually more common among women taking soy. The authors conclude that there is a need for alternative approaches to help women deal with menopausal symptoms. Soy is apparently not the answer.

[Archives of Internal Medicine, Aug. 8, 2011]