Phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens

“Phytoestrogens are substances from plants that have
chemical structures similar to those of the female hormone
estrogen. The isoflavones found in soy and red clover…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Phytoestrogens Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Flaxseed
  • Isoflavones
  • Phytoestrogens
  • Plant Estrogens
  • Red Clover
  • Soy Isoflavones

Definition

What are phytoestrogens?

DotS the definition of phytoestrogens may vary. The (United States) National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health’s (NCCIH) 2017 definition is:

  • “Phytoestrogens are substances from plants that have chemical structures similar to those of the female hormone estrogen. The isoflavones found in soy and red clover are examples of phytoestrogens. Flaxseed is another phytoestrogen source”.2

In Hot flushes, Night Sweats, Brain Fog? Here’s What We Know About Phytoestrogens for Menopausal Symptoms: What Are Phytoestrogens?, published 05 June 2023, the authors’ definition is:

“Phytoestrogens are plant-derived substances that can show oestrogen-like activity when ingested.

There are numerous types including isoflavones, coumestans and lignans. These can be consumed in the form of food (from whole soybeans, soy-based foods such as tofu and soy milk, legumes, wholegrains, flaxseeds, fruits and vegetables) and in commercially produced supplements. In the latter category, extracts from soy and red clover yield isoflavones and flaxseed gives us lignans.

Because declining oestrogen levels drive menopausal symptoms, the theory is that consuming a “natural”, plant-based substance that acts like oestrogen will provide relief”.3

Menopause Symptoms

Is there an association between menopause symptoms and phytoestrogens?

In Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? Buyer Beware: Unproven, Nonscientific “Treatments” for Hot Flashes according to the (United States) National Institute on Aging (NIA):

“Phytoestrogens are estrogen-like substances found in some cereals, vegetables, and legumes (like soy), and herbs. They may work in the body like a weak form of estrogen, but they have not been consistently shown to be effective in research studies, and their long-term safety is unclear”.4

In Perimenopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Alternative Medicine, dated 23 May 2023, the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

  • “Phytoestrogens. These estrogens occur naturally in certain foods. Two main type of phytoestrogens are isoflavones and lignans. Isoflavones are found in soybeans and other legumes and red clover. Lignans occur in flaxseed, whole grains, and some fruits and vegetables. There are also plant-derived compounds that have estrogen-like properties. Studies on phytoestrogens — whether from food or supplements — conflict on whether they help reduce menopausal symptoms. Studies also conflict on what beneficial impact, if any, phytoestrogens may have on breast cancer risk”.5

Gut Bacteria

Is there an association between gut bacteria and phytoestrogens?

In Hot flushes, Night Sweats, Brain Fog? Here’s What We Know About Phytoestrogens for Menopausal Symptoms: What Does the Evidence Say? the authors’ elaborate on:

“However, several factors may influence the effect of dietary phytoestrogens on menopausal symptoms. This includes gut microbiota, with research showing only around 30% of women from Western populations possess the gut microbiota needed to convert isoflavones to their active form, known as equol, compared to an estimated 50–60% of menopausal women from Japanese populations”.6

In Foods for Menopause: Here Comes the ‘But’ the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health also note:

Phytoestrogens“It’s important to know that phytoestrogens may help to ease menopausal symptoms in only one in three women. For the remaining two in three women, they may not see relief of symptoms. Why only one in three?

Ms Villella says it is due to the different gut bacteria people have. “Only about one in three women have the particular type of gut bacteria that can turn the phytoestrogen in soy into a stronger and more useable form, called equol,” she says”.7

Hot Flushes

Is there an association between hot flushes and phytoestrogens?

In Hot flushes, Night Sweats, Brain Fog? Here’s What We Know About Phytoestrogens for Menopausal Symptoms: What Does the Evidence Say? the authors’ also note:

“Overall, evidence regarding the benefit of phytoestrogens for hot flushes is fairly mixed. A Cochrane review synthesised study results and failed to find conclusive evidence phytoestrogens, in food or supplement form, reduced the frequency or severity of hot flushes or night sweats in perimenopausal or postmenopausal women”.8

Health Care Provider

What if I increase phytoestrogens in my diet?

If you increase phytoestrogens in your diet, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? Buyer Beware: Unproven, Nonscientific “Treatments” for Hot Flashes the NIA caution:

“Always talk with your doctor before taking any herb or supplement. Currently, it is unknown whether these herbs or other “natural” products are helpful or safe to treat your hot flashes or other menopausal symptoms. The benefits and risks are still being studied”.9

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Phytoestrogens?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Phytoestrogens?

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Links

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New or Updated

  1. 9 Foods High In Phytoestrogens
  2. Are Phytoestrogens Good for You?
  3. BMS TV: Complementary and Alternative Therapies
  4. Bioaccessibility Evaluation of Soymilk Isoflavones With Biotransformation Processing
  5. Breast Cancer Prevention: It’s Never Too Late To Make Changes
  6. Can Hot Flashes Be Managed Through Diet?
  7. Complementary & Alternative Therapies: Non-Hormonal Treatments for Menopause Symptoms
  8. Complementary Medicines and Therapies for Hot Flushes
  9. Complementary Medicines and Therapies: Options for Menopausal Symptoms
    Phytoestrogens
  10. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – NAMS 2023 Nonhormone Therapies Position Statement for Bothersome Menopause Symptoms
  11. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Healthcare Visit
  12. Did You Know? Supplements and Medications Can Interact In Unexpected Ways
  13. Dietary Supplements
  14. Effect of Soy Isoflavones on Measures of Estrogenicity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
  15. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  16. Find A Practitioner [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  17. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  18. Flaxseed: A Little Seed With Big Health Benefits
  19. Foods for Menopause
  20. Handling Hot Flushes and Night Sweats| Dr Louise Newson
  21. Hot Flashes
  22. Hot Flashes
  23. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  24. Hot Flushes, Night Sweats, Brain Fog? Here’s What We Know About Phytoestrogens for Menopausal Symptoms
  25. How Long Will I Have Hot Flashes and What Causes Them?
  26. How To Find Relief for Hot Flashes At Night
  27. How To Manage Menopausal Symptoms
  28. Impact of Phytoestrogens on Treatment of Urogenital Menopause Symptoms: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials
  29. Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements
  30. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause
  31. Is It Really ‘FDA Approved?’
  32. Linseed, Banana & Date Muffins
  33. Looking After Yourself Around the Time of Menopause
  34. Managing Menopause Symptoms [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  35. Mayo Clinic Minute: Does Soy Increase Breast Cancer Risk? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  36. Menopause
  37. Menopause
  38. Menopause
    Phytoestrogens
  39. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Phytoestrogens
  40. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  41. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  42. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  43. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024]
    Phytoestrogens
  44. Menopause: Identification and Management: NICE Guideline [NG23] [07 November 2024]
  45. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
  46. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  47. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Red Clover
  48. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Soy
  49. Natural Remedies To Help Manage Perimenopause Symptoms
  50. Navigating Menopause Care Resource Guide
    Phytoestrogens
  51. Nonhormone Treatments for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
  52. Nutrition In Menopause
  53. Office of Dietary Supplements: Black Cohosh
  54. Perimenopause
  55. Perimenopause
  56. Phytoestrogens (Dietary Estrogens)
  57. Recipes: Menopause
  58. Savoury Phytoestrogen Bread
  59. Should You Eat Soy After Menopause? U of T Researchers Dispel Myth About Soy and Cancer
  60. Soy Foods and Supplements
  61. Supplements: What Works, What Doesn’t and the Truth About Menowashing
  62. Symptoms of Menopause
  63. The Effects of Phytoestrogens on Postmenopausal Health
  64. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  65. Treatments for Menopause
  66. Updated 2024 NICE Menopause Guidance Summary
  67. Webinars: Lifestyle Medicine
  68. Webinars: Non-Pharmacological Interventions For VMS
  69. Webinars: Symposia – What’s Hot? Options for Treatment of Hot Flushes 2025
  70. What Are Phytoestrogens? Benefits and Foods
  71. What To Eat When You Have Hot Flashes?
  72. What To Expect In Each Stage of Menopause
  73. World Menopause Day [18 October 2025]
    Phytoestrogens

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopause Symptoms: Natural Products – Phytoestrogens. Last Updated: May 2017. National Institute of Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/menopausal-symptoms-in-depth Accessed: 09 August 2025
  2. Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopause Symptoms: Natural Products – Phytoestrogens. Last Updated: May 2017. National Institute of Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/menopausal-symptoms-in-depth Accessed: 09 August 2025
  3. Gurvich, C., Varney, J., and Kulkarni, J. Hot flushes, Night Sweats, Brain Fog? Here’s What We Know About Phytoestrogens for Menopausal Symptoms: What Are Phytoestrogens? Published: 05 June 2023 https://theconversation.com/hot-flushes-night-sweats-brain-fog-heres-what-we-know-about-phytoestrogens-for-menopausal-symptoms-204801 Accessed: 09 August 2025
  4. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? Buyer Beware: Unproven, Nonscientific “Treatments” for Hot Flashes. Content Reviewed: 30 September 2021. National Institute on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hot-flashes-what-can-i-do Accessed: 09 August 2025
  5. Perimenopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Alternative Medicine. 25 May 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354671 Accessed: 09 August 2025
  6. Gurvich, C., Varney, J., and Kulkarni, J. Hot flushes, Night Sweats, Brain Fog? Here’s What We Know About Phytoestrogens for Menopausal Symptoms: What Does the Evidence Say? Published: 05 June 2023 https://theconversation.com/hot-flushes-night-sweats-brain-fog-heres-what-we-know-about-phytoestrogens-for-menopausal-symptoms-204801 Accessed: 09 August 2025
  7. Foods for Menopause: Here Comes the ‘But’. Last Updated: 18 December 2024 | Last Reviewed: 18 December 2024. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/news/foods-for-menopause Accessed: 09 August 2025
  8. Gurvich, C., Varney, J., and Kulkarni, J. Hot flushes, Night Sweats, Brain Fog? Here’s What We Know About Phytoestrogens for Menopausal Symptoms: What Does the Evidence Say? Published: 05 June 2023 https://theconversation.com/hot-flushes-night-sweats-brain-fog-heres-what-we-know-about-phytoestrogens-for-menopausal-symptoms-204801 Accessed: 09 August 2025
  9. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? Buyer Beware: Unproven, Nonscientific “Treatments” for Hot Flashes. Content Reviewed: 30 September 2021. National Institute on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hot-flashes-what-can-i-do Accessed: 09 August 2025
Topic Last Updated: 11 January 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 09 August 2025

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