Findings from a nationwide survey reveal women expect more than a
prescription when talking to their doctors about relief of menopausal
symptoms. The research findings show women desire more proactive sharing
with health professionals related to non-medicinal methods for
addressing menopausal symptoms.
The survey, “Women & Menopause: A Look at Supplement Use,” provides new
insights into menopausal women’s desires and behaviors related to their
use of natural supplements for the relief of menopausal symptoms and
their expectations of healthcare providers when discussing menopause.
The survey polled 1,258 women ages 40 to 55. Key findings among women
surveyed include:
-
A third try natural supplements for the relief of menopausal symptoms.
-
A quarter name natural supplements as their “treatment of choice.”
-
Nearly all who are using natural supplements for hot flashes say these
are their “favorite method of treatment.”
Additionally, women entering menopause say they would like their
healthcare professional to share information and help them find relief
for menopausal symptoms. This includes:
-
Discussions with doctors regarding natural treatments to help
alleviate the symptoms they are experiencing.
-
More proactive sharing with healthcare professionals related to
non-medicinal methods for dealing with menopausal symptoms.
“These new findings indicate that women are looking to their healthcare
professionals for comprehensive advice – they want to know about all the
treatment options, including natural supplements,” said Mark Messina,
Ph.D., soy researcher and adjunct professor of Nutrition at Loma Linda
University in California.
The survey confirmed that menopausal women are in fact seeking advice
from health professionals. Most cite any combination of
obstetricians/gynecologists (48 percent), family physicians (38 percent)
and/or general physicians (25 percent) as their menopause treatment
advisors. Furthermore, 19 percent of women consult with their nurse
practitioners, nurses and/or pharmacists regarding treatment options for
menopausal symptoms.
“This research shows that women’s expectations are changing,” said Liza
Pepple, product manager, ADM Natural Health & Nutrition. “Women are
looking for their healthcare professionals to be as educated about
natural alternatives for treating menopausal symptoms as they are about
other options.”
The survey, sponsored by ADM, was fielded in March and April. The goal
of the survey was to assess women’s awareness and use of natural
supplements, including products containing soy, for the relief of
menopausal symptoms.
ADM sponsored the survey as part of its ongoing soy isoflavone education
campaign that aims to educate consumers and healthcare influencers on
the benefits of soy isoflavones in easing hot flashes, a symptom of
menopause, as well as to direct them to the most effective soy
isoflavones.
As part of its campaign, ADM conducted a critical review of the
scientific literature relating to the efficacy of soy isoflavones in
easing hot flashes (Menopause, Sept/Oct 2006). The critical review
showed that isoflavone supplements that reflect the whole soybean
isoflavone profile—the relative ratio of the three naturally-occurring
isoflavones found in the soybean and containing more than 15 mg of
genistein—appear to be effective.
For supplement manufacturers, ADM offers Novasoy® brand soy isoflavones,
in the ratio found in whole soybeans, to provide relief from the
severity and frequency of hot flashes associated with menopause. For
more information on Novasoy brand soy isoflavones, visit www.easingmenopause.com.
About ADM
Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is the world leader in BioEnergy
and has a premier position in the agricultural processing value chain.
ADM is one of the world’s largest processors of soybeans, corn, wheat
and cocoa. ADM is a leading manufacturer of biodiesel, ethanol, soybean
oil and meal, corn sweeteners, flour and other value-added food and feed
ingredients. Headquartered in Decatur, Illinois, ADM has over 27,000
employees, more than 240 processing plants and net sales for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2007 of $44 billion. Additional information can be
found on ADM’s Web site at http://www.adm.com/.
ADM Media Relations
217/424-5413
media@adm.com