menopause

Phytoestrogens are medicinal compounds from plants that interact with our bodies’ estrogen receptors, mildly mimicking estrogen’s effects.  Women are becoming increasingly interested in taking phytoestrogens as an alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for menopause, feeling that phytoestrogens are natural options that are milder and safer for the body.  Many studies have been done on the efficacy of phytoestrogens.  A new study has analyzed 174 of those studies, in a meta-analysis, combining the results of all the studies and analyzing them together for the purpose of a new research objective.  In this case, the authors (Tempfer et al. 2009) reviewed the side effects of phytoestrogen treatments, compared to placebo or no treatment, in randomized controlled trials.  Side effects were reported by 38% of the 4806 people taking placebo or no treatment (the control groups), and 36.7% of 5502 people taking phytoestrogens.  Therefore the overall difference in side effects was not significant.  When the occurences of different side effect categories were analyzed, those taking phytoestrogens were only found to have a moderate increase in gastrointestinal side effects.  No increase in gynecological, musculoskeletal, neurological, or unspecific side effects were found in those taking phytoestrogens.  The bottom line - phytoestrogens have a safe side effect profile.  [And they are awesome.]