---
title: Phytoestrogens to Help Diminish Mild Hot Flashes
description: Phytoestrogens such as genistein and spruce lignans may support estrogen balance and reduce the frequency and severity of menopausal hot flashes.
image: https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casi/featured/8-17-phytoestrogens.jpeg
---

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# Phytoestrogens to Help Diminish Mild Hot Flashes

DM Danielle C. Male, MS, CNS, LDN Aug 17, 2023

![Phytoestrogens to Help Diminish Mild Hot Flashes](https://www.casi.org/hs-fs/hubfs/casi/featured/8-17-phytoestrogens.jpeg?width=960)

Menopause is a natural part of the healthy aging process in women and typically starts around the age of 50. Unfortunately, menopause is often associated with unwanted complaints that can impact a woman’s quality of life, such as [hot flashes](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6459071/). Emerging research suggests that plant compounds called [phytoestrogens](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4192010/) may support estrogen homeostasis and help diminish mild hot flashes caused by menopause. 

Hot flashes are characterized by a sudden [sensation of warmth](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539827/) across the chest, neck, and face, accompanied by flushing and sweating. Hot flashes affect an estimated [85% of menopausal women](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6459071/) and can last for months or even years. It is estimated that [65% of women](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539827/) complain of hot flashes for more than two years and [36%](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539827/) for more than five years. 

The exact [pathophysiology](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6459071/) of hot flashes is still being investigated. However, the [primary cause](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6459071/) is believed to be a dysfunction of the central thermoregulatory centers due to [decreased estrogen status](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12946239/) during menopause. The [withdrawal of estrogen](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539827/), rather than low circulating estrogen levels, is associated with hot flashes. 

Phytoestrogens can be found in plant-based foods like flaxseeds, beans, berries, broccoli, and garlic. Phytoestrogens, such as genistein and lignans, are [structurally similar to the endogenous estrogen 17β-estradiol](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12946239/), allowing them to bind to estrogen receptor (ER) transcription factors in the body and modulate their activation (with a higher affinity for ERβ receptors). It is important to note that phytoestrogens are [100 to 1,000 times weaker in potency and activation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12946239/) of ERs compared to endogenous estradiol. They can potentially help promote estrogen homeostasis by acting as either [agonists or antagonists](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13680814/) depending on [factors](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13680814/) like target tissue, ER type, and endogenous estrogen concentration.

[Genistein](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17251874/), an isoflavone phytoestrogen, has demonstrated the potential to diminish mild hot flashes caused by menopause. In a [12-month, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17251874/), postmenopausal women (n = 247) who were supplemented with 27 mg of genistein twice daily experienced a [56.4% reduction in the mean number of hot flashes](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17251874/) and [approximately a 40% reduction in the severity of hot flashes](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17251874/). Another [study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21163595/) (n = 84) observed that women who consumed genistein (30 mg/day for 12 weeks) experienced a  statistically significant [51% reduction in the number of hot flashes](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21163595/) compared to a 30% decrease in the placebo group.

[Spruce lignans](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3877914/) are phytoestrogens derived from the knot wood extract of Norwegian spruce (*Picea abies*) that may promote estrogen homeostasis. [Postmenopausal women](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3877914/) (n = 22) administered 72 mg/day of spruce lignans (as HMRlignan®) for eight weeks experienced a statistically significant [50% reduction](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3877914/) in the weekly mean number of hot flashes at week eight compared to baseline. Additionally, when assessing the frequency of severe hot flashes, the women demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of [79% at week four](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3877914/) and [80% at week eight](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3877914/) compared to baseline. 

[Estrogen status](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3823936/) undergoes fluctuations during menopause and eventually declines and stabilizes post-menopause. This pattern is associated with [mild hot flashes](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539827/) during the menopausal transition. While more research is needed, phytoestrogens have the potential to support menopausal women who are experiencing mild hot flashes by promoting estrogen homeostasis.

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### Danielle C. Male, MS, CNS, LDN

Clinical Application

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