Best Practices for Menopause Treatment, Essay Example

Menopause is the natural transition that a woman’s body makes as she ends her menstrual cycles and the fertile period of her life (Mayo Clinic, 2013, p. 1); however, even though this is considered a natural transition, there are a number of issues which arise from the experience of menopause which can require treatment. These include hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, change in sexual function, weight gain and decreased bone density (Jassi, 2010, p. 1) and this hasled to massive research on what best practices are for this condition.  For this paper, two articles on treatments for menopause are discussed.

The Effects of Soy Proteins v. Soy Isoflavones on the Lipid Profiles of Post-Menopausal Women

This study was conducted at the Lady Hardinge Medical School in New Delhi, India, to seek alternative treatments to traditional hormone therapy, since researchers noted that “the combination of estrogen and progestin therapy increases risks of coronary artery disease, stroke, pulmonary embolism and breast cancer” (Jassi, 2010, p.1).   75 post-menopausal women were divided into three groups. Group 1 received soy proteins, while Group 2 received soy isoflavones and Group 3, the control group, was given casein protein.  These women had their blood analyzed at the onset of the experiment, then at four and twelve weeks afterwards; lipid profiles, apolipoproteins A1 and B, luteinizing hormone (LH), and the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were analyzed.  It was found that while both the soy proteins and the soy isoflavones helped relieved postmenopausal symptoms, researchers recommended use of soy proteins since this not only improved the lipid profile but the apolipoproteins A1 and B; women who used isoflavones only saw benefits in lower triglyceride levels (Jassi, 2010, p. 5).

Facts about Menopausal Hormone Therapy

This article, put out by the National Institute of Health as part of the Women’s Health Initiative, discusses in further detail the issues that go along with hormone replacement therapy, especially the increased risk for heart disease, formation of blood clots, stroke and certain forms of cancer; the one combination therapy study was actually halted since it was felt that the risks of continuing such treatment outweighed the benefits – such as preventing osteoporosis –that women derived from it (National Institute of Health, 2002, p. 10).  They, too, mention the use of phytoestrogens such as though found in soy and soy products; however, they warn that there is little known about the long-term effects of taking these phytoestrogens in a more concentrated pill form (National Institute of Health, 2002, p. 4).

Concluding Thoughts

Both articles agree that hormone replacement therapy may not be a best practice for menopause treatment. The WHI article emphasizes lifestyle changes choices women can make as well as a number ofalternatives to HRT, while the New Delhi article focuses strictly on the benefits of soy protein and isoflavone use.  Essentially, though, there is no conflict between the two articles, as both are part of the growing body of research which seeks to find alternatives to traditional hormone replacement therapy for treatment of menopausal symptoms.  More information on soy is needed. The Mayo Clinic points out that there are risks involved with soy use, since the supplements are not regulated by the FDA and can have varied quality and strength (Mayo Clinc, 2013, p. 5) and a recent study published in the journal Menopause found that supplementation with soy isoflavones did not improve the quality of life for menopausal women (Amato, et. al., 2013, p. 446).  This conflicting or lack evidence, however, just underlines the need for continued research in what constitutes a best practice for menopausal treatment.

References

Amato, P.et. al. (2013).  “Effect of Soy Isoflavone Supplementation on Menopausal Quality of Life”. Menopause.  20 (4) 444-447.

“Facts about Menopausal Hormone Therapy”.  (2002). United States Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Health. Print.

Jassi, H.K. (2010). “Effects of Soy Proteins vs. Soy Isoflavones on Lipid Profiles of Post-Menopausal Women”.

“Menopause”. (2013). Mayo Clinic Website.  Web. 13 May 2014