Efficacy of phytoestrogens for menopausal symptoms: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Abstract

ObjectiveTo perform a meta-analysis examining the efficacy of phytoestrogens for the relief of menopausal symptoms.MethodsMedline, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched until September 30, 2013 using the following key words: vasomotor symptoms, menopausal symptoms, phytoestrogens, isoflavones, coumestrol, soy, red clover. Inclusion criteria were (1) randomized controlled trial (RCT), (2) perimenopausal or postmenopausal women experiencing menopausal symptoms, (3) intervention with an oral phytoestrogen. Outcome measures included Kupperman index (KI) changes, daily hot flush frequency, and the likelihood of side-effects.ResultsOf 543 potentially relevant studies identified, 15 RCTs meeting the inclusion criteria were included. The mean age of the subjects ranged from 49 to 58.3 and 48 to 60.1 years, respectively, in the placebo and phytoestrogen groups. The number of participants ranged from 30 to 252, and the intervention periods ranged from 3 to 12 months. Meta-analysis of the seven studies that reported KI data indicated no significant treatment effect of phytoestrogen as compared to placebo (pooled mean difference = 6.44, p = 0.110). Meta-analysis of the ten studies that reported hot flush data indicated that phytoestrogens result in a significantly greater reduction in hot flush frequency compared to placebo (pooled mean difference = 0.89, p < 0.005). Meta-analysis of the five studies that reported side-effect data showed no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.175).ConclusionPhytoestrogens appear to reduce the frequency of hot flushes in menopausal women, without serious side-effects.

Effectiveness of red clover in alleviating menopausal symptoms: a 12-week randomized, controlled trial

“…Therefore reduction in these symptoms inturn reduces the severity of mood distress. 28 Some studies have shown that red clover has no effect on vasomotor and psychological symptoms 29,30 . There are differences among the results of these individual studies; moreover, systemic and meta-analyses have provided contradictory results 12,29-32 .…”

Die Behandlung menopausaler Beschwerden mit pflanzlichen Extrakten: Klinische Studien bestätigen die Wirksamkeit

“…Chen et al [9] publizierten kürzlich eine Meta-Analyse über die Wirksamkeit von Isoflavon-haltigen Präparaten bei menopausalen Beschwerden und werteten 9 randomisierte kontrollierte Studien (RCT) aus. Bei 7 Studien wurde zur Wirksamkeitsbestimmung der Kupperman-Index verwendet.…”

Complementary and Alternative Approaches to Menopause

“…Drawing on a similar pool of research material, Chen and colleagues 19 found 15 RCTs that met criteria for use in a meta-analysis. The mean daily hot flush frequency was statistically lower in the isoflavone study groups (reduction mean 5 0.89, CI 0.2-1.52, P<.005).…”