Effects of Tofu Consumption on Menopause Symptoms and Equol Level [7-Hydroxy-3-(4-Hydroxyphenyl) Chroman]

Background: Improvements in both health and welfare in Indonesia have increased the life expectancy; thus, the number of women who experience menopause period would be increasing. Menopause symptoms resulting from estrogen deficiency often cause problems, such as menstrual cycle changes, hot flushes, dyspareunia, urethritis, incontinence, urgency, frequent micturition, insomnia, or sexual dysfunction. This symptom happened since perimenopause age. Phytoestrogens and their metabolites, equol, binds to estrogen receptors and induce biological effects resembling estrogen. The most important content of phytoestrogens is isoflavones. Isoflavones could be found in foods or drinks that contain soya (soybeans), such as tofu. Equol, a bacterial metabolite, and the only hormonally active daidzein metabolite is a good predictor to determine the degree of menopause symptoms. This was an experimental study with pre and post design.