Q. What type of sprouts - Brussel sprouts or bean sprouts?

Any of the bean sprouts such as alfalfa, lentil sprouts, mung bean etc. 

Q. What do we do if one is allergic to anything soy?

Avoid soy and try to obtain phytoestrogens from linseeds and other legumes e.g. lentils, chick peas etc.

Q. Is soy protein powder a source of phytoestrogens?

Soy protein powders can be made from isolated compounds from soy and these types of products are not recommended because they do not contain all of the health benefits of whole soy foods and there is not enough evidence of their safety when taken for long periods. They are usually referred to as isolated isoflavones.

Some soy powders, however, are made from soy germ (and are similar to other whole foods like wheat germ) and do have the health benefits of soy. They are suitable for symptom relief for those who do not like soy foods like tofu.

Q. Will phytoestrogen improve sex drive?

Phytoestrogens will not specifically improve sex drive but in therapeutic doses may improve vaginal dryness which then may improve sexual response and make sex less painful.

Q. In relation to the dietary phytoestrogens, it was unclear to me whether it was necessary to consume all that was listed there to obtain a therapeutic dose, or just 1 or 2 of these foods. Thank you

Therapeutic doses are 40-80mg of isoflavones which may be achieved by either 220g of tofu OR 2 cups soy beans etc

Q. Is there a link between breast cancer and soy products?
Q. I have had a 5 cm inflammatory breast cancer. Do I face any risks if I have phytoestrogens    

There is evidence suggesting that phytoestrogens consumed before puberty decrease the risk of developing breast cancer. See Phytoestrogens and breast cancer.

For women who have breast cancer, soy foods consumed as part of the diet are not a risk and impart other health benefits.

Q. Where can you buy soy beans? I have not seen them in the canned food section at the supermarket with the other types of beans?

You can buy fresh frozen soy beans from Chinese grocers. They are usually not organic.

Q. While not relating directly to menopause – have soya products been implicated in hypothyroidism in middle-aged women?

Avoid soy products if you have an underactive thyroid, as they suppress thyroid function. However, you generally need to be eating vast amounts for such an effect, so modest intakes in the diet should be OK.

Q. Do soy products affect blood pressure?

Some research has shown that they can lower blood pressure by a small amount in men and women.

Q. Are there any problems with eating too much soy in the diet?

Phytoestrogens eaten as a food are considered to be appropriate, but soy supplements made from isolated isoflavones should be avoided.

Content updated 26 August 2011