Menopause is the end of all menstrual bleeding. It is caused by lack of estrogen production by the ovaries.

For 5 to 10 years before menstrual periods actually cease, the body begins to undergo various neuroendocrine and ovarian changes. This period is called the perimenopausal transition. During the perimenopausal period, there is a gradual decline in the production of estrogen hormones by the ovaries. This decline accelerates as menopause approaches.

Changes occur in bodily tissues that are responsive to estrogen, such as the vagina, vulva, uterus, bladder, urethra, breasts, bones, heart, blood vessels, brain, skin, hair and mucous membranes.

During the menopausal period, there is a gradual failure of the ovaries to produce estrogens and progesterone. Through a negative feedback mechanism the pituitary gland produces follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in great quantities. This is a scenario with large quantities of FSH and LH but very low levels of estrogen and progesterone. The large quantities of FSH and LH causes most of the symptoms of menopause; anxiety, emotional instability, irritability, insomnia, hot flushes and cold sweats.

Lower levels of oestrogen also have less obvious consequences. These are silent conditions which include high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis.

SOLUTION

Phytoestrogens--naturally occurring principles found in the plant kingdom that share with steroidal oestrogens an ability to activate oestrogen receptors. The best known phytoestrogens include the isoflavones; daidzein, genistein, formononetin and biochanin A, the coumestan; coumestrol, and the lignans; secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol.

Menopause mix, is a herbal formulation made to supply phytoestrogens and also solve problems like depression, emotional instability, irritability and insomnia associated with menopause.

We also advice that there should be a high intake of soya products in the diet. Examples are:

• Tofu — A spongy soy product, tofu (TOE-foo) is often used as a meat substitute because it absorbs the flavors of the food it's cooked with.
• Miso — Miso (MEE-soe) is a soybean paste that is often made into soup.
• Tempeh — Made from fermented soybeans, tempeh (TEM-pay) is often made into a spread or pressed into a cake and marinated, grilled or baked.
• Soy "burger" — This product doesn't contain meat, but tastes like and resembles ground beef. It's often sold in frozen tubes in your grocery store's meat section.
• Soy sprouts — Like alfalfa sprouts, these can be added to salads or other dishes.
• Soy flour — Flour made from soybeans can be used with other flours to boost protein. You can also replace eggs, which are high in cholesterol, in baking recipes by substituting one tablespoon of soy flour and two tablespoons of water for each egg.
• Soy milk — Made from pureed soybeans in water.

RESEARCH

Daidzein and genistein isoflavonoids found in soya had an anabolic effect on bone metabolism, therefore, may stimulate bone formation and mineralization (Gao, Y.H. & Yamaguchi, M. 1999).

Soy protein isolate added daily to the diet substantially reduced the frequency of hot flushes in climacteric women (Albertazzi, P. et al.,1998).

REFERENCES

Gao, Y.H. and Yamaguchi, M. (1999). Anabolic effect of daidzein on cortical bone in tissue culture: comparison with genistein effect. Mol Cell. Biochem. 194(1-2):93-7.

Albertazzi, P., Pansini, F., Bonaccorsi, G., Zanotti, L., Forini, E. and De Aloysio, D. (1998). The effect of dietary soy supplementation on hot flushes. Obstet. Gynecol. 91(1):6-11