Monopace/soy isoflavones

[humblesims]

I have been looking at Menopace as advised by friends who recommend it.
Short question...Has anyone had good results for mood with Menopace?
Long Question...
It looks to me as though it has all the same ingredients as the multi vits and minerals I already take apart from soy isoflavones which from what I gather is a natural oestrogen replacement.
In Holland and Barrett they recommended a lot of other things I could use as an oestrogen replacement (other than HRT which I am still debating) such as red clover starflower and some other things.
I'm so confused about all the products out there. My menopause is proceeding relatively smoothly and manageable but my mood is so low and negative I'd like to boost it somehow but not sure if supplements are the answer. They are all mega expensive too as usual for anything for women.

I've seen my GP a couple of times recently about other stuff and have mentioned meno symptoms but she hasn't suggested HRT and I'm not sure if I want/need it or not. Soy I read, is linked to breast cancer? but it seems to be the only ingredient in Menopace that isn't covered in the general multi vits. And family history of BC makes me want to steer clear.
What a waffly old post. Sorry. Brain fog and general confusion.
There is so much advice out there its almost too much.
Has anyone had good results for mood with Menopace?

There is no black and white answer to your question :)
Herbs and supplements work for some people but all drugs and supplements have a 30% placebo effect. Something only works, scientifically in trials, if the effect can be proved to be above this 30% placebo threshold.

There is no research showing Menopace works. Soy isoflavins are for hot flushes, not mood. The Royal College of Gynaes did a survey some years ago and there is no evidence at all that Starflower helps. The only one that may help flushes is black cohosh but it comes with warnings of possible liver disease for some people if used long term.

If you want to help mood, St Johns Wort is the herb to use.

Any isoflavins in supplements are going to be a very low dose. If women want to use soy in their diet to help with flushes they have to consume a huge amount. The advice on soy is that women who have had breast cancer should be wary of it, but using soy is not going to give you breast cancer. The thinking now is that it's not the estrogen in HRT that causes cancer anyway, but possibly the progestogen used.

The guidance on HRT and breast cancer is you are advised not to use it if 2 first degree relatives (mum and sister) both had BC at a young age (before 45.) Only 5% of BC is hereditary, the rest is often due to lifestyle or just random.

Sorry this is not a definitive answer!

Thanks Jingling Its all useful information. I'll investigate St Johns Wort.

The longer I went without a period (9 months and counting), the worse my flushes got (though no night sweats). Was clearly estrogen deprived!Thought I'd try some supplements before I went down the HRT route, did some research and tried Vogel Menosan Menopause Support. I'm not a fan of soya, but in this supplement it's fermented so removes the downsides. I was pretty shocked to find it works and I very rarely get a flush now. Sometimes I just forget to take it and they come back with a vengeance. I believe in the placebo effect, but not in this case. It's worth a try!

Oh btw, my mood is generally ok but I am also on antidepressants! Hasn't helped with the aching joints tho 😡

@EllenRipley The reason your flushes have gone is more than likely to be you simply aren't getting symptoms as much as other women. Soy has to be taken in massive quantities - gallons of milk or yoghurt a day- and the amount in a tablet is nowhere near that. If you have low mood you really ought to be on HRT not ADs (NICE guidelines) and also for your joints.

Have a read around on the web at the website of Dr Louise Newson and see my link earlier in the week to the ITV programme This Morning where meno and HRT was discussed by a consultant, saying all of the above.

Thanks @JinglingHellsBells, will def check out your earlier post.

RE the soy, yeah I've read a lot about it and totally take your point on board. There's quite a few conflicting studies about whether genistein has any notable estrogenic activity, but it's possibly dependent on what your existing/fluctuating levels are. Serum levels in women who have high soy diets and apparently lesser menopause symptoms are much higher, or so I've read! I can only go on how my body reacts, which might not be a rigid scientific approach, but there does seem to be a direct correlation between dosing with the supplement and my flushes, and at the outset I had no expectations. It might be that it becomes less effective (as I perceive it!) as I tumble deeper into meno.

I want prescribed the antidep for meno, I've been on and off it for years and have been on a low maintenance dose since I had PND. Mind you, I was almost completely off it when my cycle started to go whacko, so I see the sense in replacing it during menopause. I don't like being on it particularly but when I reduce I need to taper verrrry slowly and manage my symptoms - need to be in the right place to consider that!

Re joints, I'm having awful symptoms in feet/ankles and some low level stiffness in other joints - I'm pretty sure it's meno related (though I'm getting other investigations done to rule in/out other conditions) but on last visit to doc he told me there's no research to suggest HRT helps joint pain! I was a bit 🤔 about that, so I'd be interested in your thoughts?

Sorry OP, I didn't want to hijack your post!

Maybe do a search on HRT and joint pain? On balance there seems to be evidence it helps and protects joints. Without knowing all the facts, the joints are cushioned partly by collagen and this diminishes post menopause ( as in the skin, face, etc.) Estrogen helps maintain collagen. It depends if your joint pain is OA. You really need a thorough assessment to see if it's OA or RA.

From what I have read. ADs are not meant to be used long term for mild-moderate depression and drs are being told to prescribe CBT, counselling and exercise. But of course I can't say what's right for you without knowing all your history and so on!