Comparative evaluation of soy and fenugreek seed on hot flashes in menopausal women: a randomized clinical trial

Hot flashes are common and distressing symptoms in postmenopausal women that its major treat is replacement therapy hormone. In order to its various complications, these hormones discuss and the use of phytoestrogens proposes. Due to rich sources of phytoestrogens in herbal plants such as soy and fenugreek, a comparative study of soybean and fenugreek seeds was aimed on hot flashes in postmenopausal women. This randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 60 postmenopausal women with hot flashes who were referred to the clinic centers in Arak city and they had written satisfaction, and included the entrance criteria. They were divided randomly into two groups and in each group, 30 postmenopausal women. One group used fenugreek seeds (6 gr daily) and another group used soy (25 mg daily). Before the intervention and at the end of the second month (8 weeks), the severity and frequency of hot flashes were evaluated and were analyzed using paired t- test and independent t-test. 60 postmenopausal women continued the study to the end in total. There was no significant difference in the intensity and frequency between two groups before the intervention P>0.05). Following the intervention in two groups reduced significantly both the severity and number of hot flushes at the end of the second month (P<0.001). There was not a significant difference after two months in frequency and severity of hot flushes by using plant seeds between the two groups (P>0.05). The results of this study seem to have a daily intake of 25 grams of soy or 6 gr of fenugreek seeds after two months is effective in reducing the number and severity of hot flashes, although there was no difference between the two groups. Moreover, no specific complication was observed using these herbal plants under study.