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

Can phytoestrogens help with menopause symptoms?

In Perimenopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Alternative Medicine – Herbs and Supplements, dated 18 December 2025, the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

Phytoestrogens

  • “Phytoestrogens. These estrogens are naturally found in certain foods. Two main types of phytoestrogens are isoflavones and lignans. Isoflavones are in soybeans and other legumes and red clover. Lignans are in flaxseed, whole grains, and some fruits and vegetables. There are also plant-based compounds that act like estrogen in the body.Phytoestrogens are found in foods and supplements. But research is unclear on whether they help with menopause symptoms. It’s also uncertain if they impact breast cancer risk”.4

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”.5

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”.6

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”.7

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?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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New or Updated

  1. PhytoestrogensAre Phytoestrogens Good for You?
  2. BMS TV: Complementary and Alternative Therapies
  3. Bioaccessibility Evaluation of Soymilk Isoflavones With Biotransformation Processing
  4. Can Hot Flashes Be Managed Through Diet?
  5. Complementary & Alternative Therapies: Non-Hormonal Treatments for Menopause Symptoms
  6. Complementary Medicines and Therapies for Hot Flushes
  7. Complementary Medicines and Therapies: Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  8. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – NAMS 2023 Nonhormone Therapies Position Statement for Bothersome Menopause Symptoms
  9. Did You Know? Supplements and Medications Can Interact In Unexpected Ways
  10. Dietary Supplements
  11. Effect of Soy Isoflavones on Measures of Estrogenicity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
  12. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  13. Find A Practitioner [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  14. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  15. Flaxseed: A Little Seed With Big Health Benefits
  16. Handling Hot Flushes and Night Sweats| Dr Louise Newson
  17. Hot Flashes
  18. Hot Flashes
  19. Hot Flushes, Night Sweats, Brain Fog? Here’s What We Know About Phytoestrogens for Menopausal Symptoms
  20. How To Find Relief for Hot Flashes At Night
  21. How To Manage Menopausal Symptoms
  22. Impact of Phytoestrogens on Treatment of Urogenital Menopause Symptoms: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials
  23. Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements
  24. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause
  25. Is It Really ‘FDA Approved?’
  26. Linseed, Banana & Date Muffins
  27. Mayo Clinic Minute: Does Soy Increase Breast Cancer Risk? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  28. Menopause
  29. Menopause
  30. Menopause
    Phytoestrogens
  31. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
  32. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]Phytoestrogens
  33. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
  34. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  35. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Red Clover
  36. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Soy
  37. Natural Remedies To Help Manage Perimenopause Symptoms
  38. Navigating Menopause Care Resource Guide
    Phytoestrogens
  39. Nonhormone Treatments for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
  40. Office of Dietary Supplements: Black Cohosh
  41. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – What’s Hot? Options for Treatment of Hot Flushes 2025
  42. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2024: Non-Pharmacological Interventions For VMS
  43. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Midlife Body Changes [21 April 2026]
  44. Perimenopause
  45. Phytoestrogens (Dietary Estrogens)
  46. Recipes: Menopause
  47. Savoury Phytoestrogen Bread
  48. Should You Eat Soy After Menopause? U of T Researchers Dispel Myth About Soy and Cancer [University of Toronto]
  49. Soy Foods and Supplements
  50. Supplements: What Works, What Doesn’t and the Truth About Menowashing
  51. Treatments for Menopause
  52. What Are Phytoestrogens? Benefits and Foods
  53. World Menopause Day [18 October 2025]
    Phytoestrogens
  54. Your Daily Dose: Let’s Unpack Menopause

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: 26 May 2026
  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: 26 May 2026
  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: 26 May 2026
  4. Perimenopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Alternative Medicine – Herbs and Supplements. 18 December 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354671 Accessed: 26 May 2026
  5. 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: 26 May 2026
  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: 26 May 2026
  7. 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: 26 May 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 09 August 2025

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