Clinical and Ultrasonographic Changes of the Breast after Use  of Soy Isoflavones

Background: Phytoestrogens may be an alternative therapy in control of menopausal symptoms but theirdefinite effects on breast tissue must be determined. Our study aimed to define the clinical and ultrasonographicchanges of the breast after use of soy isoflavones in menopausal women. Materials and
Methods: Menopausalwomen with hot flashes were randomly grouped as cases and controls and cases received soy isoflavones for12 weeks. Breast examination (BE) and ultrasonography (US) were done at 0, 6 and 12 weeks. Tenderness andnodularity on BE were graded 1-4 by breast surgeons.
Results: There were 30 women in the case and 26 in thecontrol group. The mean age was 51.3 years and the mean age of menopause was 49.2 years. There was no changein the BE and US at 6 weeks in controls. In the case group, 10% had grade 1 tenderness and 13.3% grade 2tenderness and grade 1 nodularity in BE accompanied with diffuse small cysts in US. At 12 weeks, there was nochange in BE and US in the 2 groups.
Conclusions: There was no statistically significant difference in the BE ofthe 2 groups at 6 and 12 weeks (p value=0.36 and 0.41 for nodularity and tenderness respectively) and in the USresults. Although the literature contains many facts concerning PEs and the breast, further prospective studiesare needed to identify structural breast changes produced by PEs in order to identify the appropriate dosageand indications of use.