Women's perception of the efficacy of a soy extract with probiotic: the M3 study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine women's perception of soy extracts containing a probiotic on climacteric-related symptoms.


METHODS
A prospective multi-center survey.


METHODS
A total of 2044 women aged 40-65 years, who were recruited at random by a group of 198 Spanish gynecologists. The women completed a self-report survey at baseline and after 6 months' use of the soy extract (30 mg genistein and 30 mg daidzein) with probiotic (500 million spores of Lactobacillus sporogenes), calcium (141 mg) and vitamin D (5 microg). The questionnaire included 15 items on menopause and health and four about sexuality from the Cervantes scale. Patients and gynecologists completed an assessment about the clinical state.


RESULTS
After 6 months, the studied soy extract improved climacteric symptoms and sexuality. Both patients and gynecologists were satisfied with the results.


CONCLUSIONS
Peri- and postmenopausal patients usually experience common menopausal symptoms and many believe that soy extract improves their menopause symptoms. Physicians should be aware of patients' positive attitude to such products.
Palacios
Santiago
S
Instituto Palacios de Salud y, Medicina de la Mujer, Madrid, Spain. ipalacios@institutopalacios.com
Rojo
Ignacio Alvarez
IA
Cancelo
Maria Jesús
MJ
Neyro
José Luis
JL
Castelo-Branco
Camil
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002979:Climacteric / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010936:Plant Extracts; D030262:Soybean Proteins