Effect of Daily Supplementation of Isoflavones on Clinical Symptoms of Post-Menopausal Indian Women at a Tertiary Referral Center

Venkatesh Mootha, Kameswari Kolluru

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmaceutical grade isoflavone supplement (1500IU) (Meno pro, British biologicals, India) on the number of hot flashes and night sweats in menopausal Indian women. This open, prospective study involved 126 post-menopausal women with climacteric symptoms. These patients were randomised to receive either the isoflavone supplementation or placebo and the patients were followed up over a 12 week period. The outcome measure was fewer hot flashes and night sweats. The incidence of hot flushes significantly reduced from 5.87 episodes /day to 1.75 episodes / day in the isoflavone group while the reduction was not much in the placebo group. Similarly the frequency of night sweats reduced significantly from 2.77 episodes / night to 1.14 episodes / night in the isoflavone group. These results confirm the effectiveness of a pharmaceutical grade isoflavone supplement on vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women.

Keywords: Post menopause, Phytoestrogens, Isoflavones, Night sweats, Hot flushes