The Link Between Phytoestrogens and Menopause

Are you struggling with hot flashes, mood swings, and night sweats? Wish there was a natural way to relieve some of these symptoms without resorting to estrogen or female hormones as supplements that bring their own problems and negative side effects? Studies have been conducted on the link between phytoestrogens and menopause and show that this plant-based substance may help lower cholesterol levels and relieve many of the symptoms of menopause.

So what’s the connection between phytoestrogen and menopause? Phytoestrogens are plant chemicals very similar in structure to the most familiar of female hormones, estrogen. They work partially by tricking the body into believing that there’s more estrogen available than is actually there. After menopause, estrogen levels drop and rapid bone loss can occur. Plant estrogens found in fruits, vegetables, and soy foods help to naturally replace that lost estrogen, thereby relieving many of the symptoms caused by lack of estrogen after menopause.

You can take a phytoestrogen supplement, but eating foods rich in phytoestrogen and isoflavones (soy phytoestrogen) is more nutritionally complete, gaining you the much-needed health benefits of fruits, veggies, and soy. In fact, eating a diet high in soy, especially during the first 10 years after menopause, has been scientifically linked to stronger bones. Next time you talk with your doctor, ask his or her opinion on the link between phytoestrogens and menopause and whether he or she recommends a supplement or healthy change in diet to add more natural, plant-based estrogen to your diet.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.