Hormone therapy and phytoestrogens

As ageing progresses the levels of sex hormones decrease in the human body. In the male population, the decrease or absence of testosterone leads to decreased strength and stamina, thin bones and a low sex drive (1). In the female population, the immediate symptoms of menopause include irregular periods, painful sexual intercourse due to vaginal dryness, hot flushes and night sweats (2). Lack of oestrogen also leads to the risk of developing osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. In this report, the authors will mainly discuss the effects of hormone therapy (HT) in menopausal women. Available current clinical data on the effects of calcium supplementation with and without HT, exercise, exercise plus calcium and exercise with HT on bone loss are presented. The effects of transdermal and oral oestrogen therapy (OT) on serum lipids are discussed. Commercially available HT products, their indications, dosages, contra-indications, side-effects and drug interactions are compared. Alternative therapies for menopausal symptoms with Chinese traditional herbs, and a comparison of the molecular structures of phytoestrogens with estradiol and diethylstilbestrol are examined (3, 4). A list of medicinal herbs and foods reported to elicit an oestrogenic response in animals is compiled.