Phytoestrogens for Menopause

Phytoestogens are often used with success to help control the symptoms of menopause.
They are found in plants and activate estrogen receptors by mimicking estrogen weakly.

There are 3 types of natural estrogen found in plants, one of which is useful during the menopause:

• resorcyclic acid lactones found in rice, corn, barley and wheat which contain beta estradiol
• steroidal estrogen found in rice, date palms and licorice which are identical to the estrone and estradiol produced in the body
• phenolics which come in different classes and include isoflavones.

In menopause, isoflavones can buffer symptoms of estrogen loss.

The highest sources of isoflavones are found in red clover, flaxseed, and soybeans. Other sources include beans, lentils, black-eyed peas and phytoestrogen herbs.