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Phytoestrogens, commonly found in edible plants such as soybeans and red clover, bind weakly to the estrogen receptor and are marketed widely as a nonhormonal treatment alternative for hot flashes. But, do they work? In this double-blind trial, 62 postmenopausal symptomatic women were randomized to receive phytoestrogens (isoflavonoids, 114 mg/day) or placebo for 3 months; after a 2-month washout period, the women crossed over to the other arm for 3 months. All women previously had been treated for breast cancer and complained of incapacitating hot flashes, night sweats, and sleeplessness.
Among the 56 women who completed the study, 25 (44.5%) preferred the phytoestrogens, 15 (26.8%) preferred the placebo (nonsignificant difference), and 16 …