Ellen Kamhi, PhD, RN, author of Cycles of Life, Herbs and Energy Techniques for the Stages of a Woman’s Life, writes, "Due to possible side effects, especially the threat of cancer, many women choose not to use it."

A study published in the January 2000 edition of Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), demonstrated a 40 percent increase in breast cancer incidence among women taking HRT estradiol (estrogen) and progestin, Kamhi pointed out. A 1996 mall intercept done by Bloomfield, CT-based AmeriFit for research supporting the launch of its Estroven product, asked women about their attitudes toward menopause and HRT. According to Craig Larsen, director of product integrity for the manufacturer, statistics at that time showed that 50 percent of women never filled their HRT prescriptions, and that another half stopped taking the HRT within a year because of the side effects.

Valerie Otto, president of Becoming, Inc., New York, NY, formulator and manufacturer of Oona, an herbal supplement for menopause management, elaborated: "The American College of Gynecology and Obstetricians has reported that two out of three women do not take HRT, or go off it for three significant reasons: they are afraid of the risks, they do not like the side effects, and they are not fully confident of the benefits. So, many women are looking for other options; there is a huge market for women who are very well educated and very smart," she stated.

The Phytoestrogen Anchor
Certain ingredients are featured in most, if not all, supplements geared for soothing menopause symptoms. Notably, phytoestrogens - typically isoflavones either from soy or from red clover - dominate, and anchor, change-of-life supplements.

According to literature supplied by Novogen, estrogen’s role goes beyond maintaining a woman’s reproductive system. Estrogen influences blood pressure, the types of cholesterol the body makes, the thickness and luster of the skin, certain bran functions, muscle strength and bone strength, among others. The body manufactures two classes of estrogen - steroidal estrogens and phenolic estrogens.

Steroidal estrogens are made from cholesterol. This class includes estriol, estrone and estradiol. "When a woman reaches midlife, her production of estradiol slows; this is what induces menopause," the literature points out.

The second class is phenolic estrogen made in the body from dietary sources, i.e, phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens, found in all plants (fruits, vegetables and grains), are comprised of six major types: flavones, flavonols, lignans and chalcones; flavonones found only in citrus fruits, and isoflavones found only in legumes, are the most potent.

"It is well accepted in the medical community that phytoestrogens can be beneficial to female health during periods of estrogen fluctuation, decline or cessation," said Larsen of AmeriFit.
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Contains a standardized extract of Black Cohosh as well as Soy Isoflavones and Flaxseed. Also contains a proprietary phytoestrogen blend of dong quai, red clover, and licorice. No artificial colors, flavors, or synthetic preservatives.

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