The effect of a soy rich diet on the vaginal epithelium in postmenopause: a randomized double blind trial.

BACKGROUND: A traditional asiatic phytoestrogen-rich diet is associated with a lower incidence of estrogen-dependent cancers and clinical consequences of postmenopausal estrogen deficiency. First Wilcox in 1990, showed an increase of the vaginal cell maturation with phytoestrogens on postmenopausal women, but this has not been confirmed in some subsequent studies. METHODS: In this study, we analyzed the effects of a 6-month soy-rich diet on the vaginal epithelium of asymptomatic postmenopausal women in a randomized clinical trial. 187 women were recruited for the study and divided into three groups: a phytoestrogen rich diet group; a hormonal replacement group, and a control group. A vaginal sample for hormonal cytology was taken before and at the end of the study, and sent unnamed to a cytologist. RESULTS: The karyopycnotic index (KI) increased significantly in the diet group and in the HRT group but not in the control group. The maturation value (MV) had an identical trend to the KI. CONCLUSION: We conclude that a soy rich diet is efficacious in increasing the maturation indices of vaginal cells. This effect could be a useful marker of the efficacy of a dietary intervention with phytoestrogen rich foods, and should be considered during preventive interventions against menopausal effects and vaginal atrophy.

[Territorial research on the availability of phytoestrogen rich foods]. / Indagine territoriale sulla disponibilità di alimenti ricchi di fitoestrogeni.

BACKGROUND: To verify the availability of foods containing phytoestrogens, the quality of available products, the degree of knowledge of these foods by dealers, the willingness of dealers to give cooperation in preparation of the MENFIS study, a study assessing the efficacy of a phytoestrogen rich diet on the long term effects of menopause. METHODS: Perspective research by questionnaires carried out in the herbalist's shops of Bari. RESULTS: For the aims of the study the herbalist's shops resulted in being the most suitable, because they were the most supplied with these products and with natural foods, with a high degree of knowledge of these foods and a helpfulness towards the users, perhaps because of the strong motivation towards this type of diet. CONCLUSIONS: The easy availability of these products, the good preparation of managers of the herbalist's shops and their good experience is a sound basis for those intending to start dietary programs with phytoestrogen rich foods.