Interní Med. 2011; 13(7): 300-304

Phytoestrogens containing drugs and peri- and postmenopause

prof.MUDr.RNDr.Luboslav Stárka, DrSc.

Endokrinologický ústav, Praha

Drugs containing compounds of herbal origin from soy, red clover or black cohosh are often used by women with menopausal symptoms

instead of hormonal replacement therapy. Phytoestrogens are presenting by compounds derived from isoflavones, lignans, coumestans

and stilbens and exert effects based either on a weak estrogenic/antiestrogenic activity and/or on a series of other mechanisms. It was

assumed that they could ameliorate disturbances of menopausal transition, protect against osteopenia and osteoporosis, cardiovascular

diseases and mammary carcinoma. However, clinical studies report conflicting data regarding the beneficial or adverse effects of phytoestrogens

depending on variety of herbal compounds, their potential transformation by microbial flora in the gastrointestinal system, type

of population examined and experimental conditions. Administration of drugs containing phytoestrogens is not supported by medicine

of evidence, however, due to negligible adverse effects and a benefit on menopausal symptoms moderately exceeding that of placebo

they represent an eventuality to HST, especially when hormonal therapy is either contradicted or not accepted by the patients.

Keywords: phytoestrogens, menopause, bone, cardiovascular diseases, mammary carcinoma

Published: October 1, 2011  Show citation