The consumption of phytoestrogen containing foods in postmenopausal women and its relationship with menopause symptoms in Jahrom, Iran, 2022

Phytoestrogen containing foods are known useful in controlling menopause symptom. Researches revealed that these foods can be useful for the health of menopausal women. Considering the importance of non-pharmacological treatments in reducing menopausal symptoms and confirming the effectiveness of phytoestrogen consumption in reducing these symptoms, this study was conducted to investigate the amount of phytoestrogen consumption and its relationship with menopausal symptoms.

This cross-sectional study was performed in 2022 on 130 middle-aged (45 to 55 years old) women living in Jahrom, Iran. Tools used in this study included a demographic questionnaire, a menopause rating scale, knowledge and attitude regarding phytoestrogen-containing foods and a 3-day food record questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 24) and Pearson correlation coefficient. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The mean amount of phytoestrogen consumed daily by the participants was 72.92±33.36 mg. Pearson correlation analyses indicated that the total amount of phytoestrogens consumed had an inverse and significant correlation with the psychological symptoms of menopause (p=.01, r=-0.190), but no significant relationship was found with the physical, urogenital, and total symptoms of menopause with amount of phytoestrogens consumed (p=0.11).

The consumption of phytoestrogens to some extent leads to a reduction of mental symptoms in menopausal women, but they have no effect on physical symptoms.