Patient's question:
Due to the underdevelopment of my uterus and ovaries affecting the regularity of my menstrual cycle, leading to infertility (low estradiol, low follicle-stimulating hormone), the doctor recommended me to take artificial cycles with Premarin and progesterone. However, I heard that Premarin has significant side effects, so I don't plan to take it. Can I use soy isoflavones instead? If I take soy isoflavones, do I still need to take progesterone? What are the differences between soy isoflavones and progesterone? Thank you for your answer.First follow-up question: (2007-5-78:01:12) If I take soy isoflavones without knowing I'm pregnant, will it affect the fetus?
Doctor's answer:
Soy isoflavones are a product obtained from the deep processing of soybeans. They are a bioactive compound extracted from natural soybeans. Due to their molecular structure being very similar to that of estrogen, they can bind to estrogen receptors in the female body, exerting a bidirectional regulatory effect. Therefore, they are also known as "phytoestrogen."The functions of soy isoflavones can be summarized as follows:
Improving skin quality: Its role as a "phytoestrogen" can make women's skin radiant and smooth.
Anti-aging: Long-term supplementation with isoflavones can maintain normal estrogen levels in the body, delaying menopause or alleviating menstrual discomfort, thereby slowing down the aging process.
Preventing osteoporosis: As women are more prone to osteoporosis than men with age, this is due to the lack of ovarian hormones leading to impaired bone metabolism, an imbalance between bone formation and resorption, which accelerates bone loss. Isoflavones can effectively improve calcium absorption in the intestines, thereby preventing bone loss and helping to prevent osteoporosis.
Preventing Alzheimer's disease: Among patients with this condition, women account for about three times as many as men, especially those who have undergone ovariectomy or hysterectomy, or those who experience early menopause, with higher incidence, earlier onset, and faster progression. Studies have shown that supplementing with soy isoflavones can increase estrogen levels and prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Preventing cardiovascular diseases: Due to the ability of soy isoflavones to effectively reduce the concentration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the blood, it indirectly increases the concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), helping to prevent the formation of atherosclerosis and thus preventing cardiovascular diseases.
So far, no side effects of soy isoflavones have been identified.
Progesterone is a natural progestogen secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary. It has a significant morphological effect on the endometrium stimulated by estrogen in the body and is essential for maintaining pregnancy. Clinically, it is often used for threatened abortion, habitual abortion, endometriosis, functional uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea caused by hypofunction of the ovaries, or reactive diagnosis of amenorrhea factors or etiology.
Precautions: It may cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, depression, breast tenderness, etc. Long-term use can lead to endometrial atrophy, reduced menstrual volume, and an increased risk of vaginal candidiasis. Patients with liver disease should not take it orally.
Soy isoflavones can be chosen for long-term use, and they have no adverse effects on infants. However, the treatment time for infertility may be longer.