Introduction

The menopause refers to that time in a woman’s life when menstruation stops and her ovaries lose their reproductive function. This happens when levels of the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, fall and the ovaries stop making eggs. The typical age for women to reach the menopause is around 50. The resulting changes in ovarian hormones, particularly the drop in estrogen, are thought to be the cause of menopausal symptoms in many women. Hot fl ushes are the classic sign of menopause, affecting up to 70% of European women. Hormone therapy is often prescribed by doctors to help with these menopausal symptoms; however research has raised concerns about its long term safety. As a result many women are looking for natural, alternative solutions.

Soyfoods and the Menopause (PDF)