title: Consensus: soy isoflavones as a first-line approach to the treatment of menopausal vasomotor complaints.
abstract: The association between an increased uptake of isoflavones and a reduced frequency of menopausal hot flushes was first described in 1992, based on a lower incidence of hot flushes in countries with a high consumption of soy. Since then, numerous clinical trials with various sources of isoflavones including soy and red clover have been presented, with practically all of the studies with adequate design delivering an outcome in favour of isoflavone supplementation. An in-depth risk assessment (EFSA 2015) concludes that the amply available human data does not indicate any suspected harmful effects from a potential interaction of isoflavones with hormone-sensitive tissues in the mammary gland, the uterus and the thyroid gland. Safety was ascertained with long-term intake of up to 150 mg isoflavones per day ingested for the duration of at least 3 years. Moreover, high isoflavone intake was found to have preventive effects with respect to breast cancer. Clinical findings indicate potential benefits of isoflavone exposure even during breast cancer treatment with tamoxifen or anastrozole.
authors.affiliation: a International Society for Phytosciences , Mattsies , Germany .
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: b Institut Für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz , Graz , Austria .
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Arjomand-Wölkart
authors.affiliation: c Gynaecological Endocrinonoly and Reproductive Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Berne , Basel , Switzerland .
authors.forename: Martin H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Birkhäuser
authors.affiliation: d Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics , European Society of Gynecology, University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy .
authors.forename: Andrea R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Genazzani
authors.affiliation: e 1st Department of Gynaeology and Obstetrics, University of Vienna , Wien , Austria .
authors.forename: Doris M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Gruber
authors.affiliation: e 1st Department of Gynaeology and Obstetrics, University of Vienna , Wien , Austria .
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.affiliation: e 1st Department of Gynaeology and Obstetrics, University of Vienna , Wien , Austria .
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kölbl
authors.affiliation: f Chair of Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana , Ljubljana , Slovenia .
authors.forename: Samo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kreft
authors.affiliation: e 1st Department of Gynaeology and Obstetrics, University of Vienna , Wien , Austria .
authors.forename: Sepp
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leodolter
authors.affiliation: e 1st Department of Gynaeology and Obstetrics, University of Vienna , Wien , Austria .
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Linsberger
authors.affiliation: e 1st Department of Gynaeology and Obstetrics, University of Vienna , Wien , Austria .
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Metka
authors.affiliation: g Division of Obstetrics and Gynadecology , Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Università Di Pisa , Pisa , Italy , and.
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Simoncini
authors.affiliation: h Slovenian Menopause Society , Kranj , Slovenia.
authors.forename: Lucija
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vrabic Dezman
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013025:Glycine max
chemical_list: D007529:Isoflavones
keywords: Anastrozole; breast cancer; hormone-sensitive tissues; isoflavones; menopausal hot flushes; safety; tamoxifen