tamoxofen and hot flashes-soy beans and hormones

[moureen]

I have mild hot flashes here and then at 39. Is there anything I can take to reduce the hot flashes. Is it safe to eat soybeans ? I'm afraid regular meat and dairy have hormones which might have harm. Do I have to go completely organic or vegetarian ?

[Cheerpul]

"But giving up all dairy products is just smart. All dairy cows produce a lot of estrogen just to produce milk. Forget the fact that they are given de-wormers, antibiotics, growth hormones and such."

I have not studied the estrogen levels of cows and transmission of bovine estrogen through milk.  However, I was raised on a dairy farm and can tell you that every time cows were treated with any drug, their milk was dumped for days after the treatment until the vet said that the drug had cleared her system and was no longer present.   Milk is tested by the milk hauler for bacteria levels and drug residues.  If antibiotics are present your whole tank of milk would be unsaleable.

SueYoung55, I think that the advice to "keep all things in moderation" is the best.  Use organic products if you are very worried, for your peace of mind.  But I eat commercial dairy products without fear.

Commercially raised meat is a bit more murky regarding hormone and drug use.  If you live near a rural area, you should be able to hook up with a small beef or hog farmer who raises his/her animals without those additives and buy meat in larger quantities for the freezer.  Chickens are harder unless you go organic or find someone who raises them for sale.  Large chicken farms are likely to have used additives.  

I had a friend who had great trouble with hot flashes after a hysterectomy and found relief drinking green tea.  So far, my tamoxifen-induced hot flashes are minimal.  So I haven't tried it.  
Best wishes to you!

[zouzi]

Hi,
The issue with soy is that it contains chemicals that are very similar to estrogens. If the breast cancer is estrogen receptor positive, some of the treatments(Tamoxifen and others)) that are given work by blocking estrogen production.By ingesting other estrogens, there is a theoretical concern that a person could be interfering with the therapeutic effect of reducing estrogen and, in fact, give the tumor the food it needs to grow.It is not clear, however, that the types of plant estrogens found in soy and other foods are harmful to women being treated for breast cancer.  Oncologists vary in their opinions on this, but many do not restrict foods. Some do have concerns about dietary supplements that are not regulated by the FDA and may contain unknown amounts of estrogen-like substances. Because these supplements do not require testing for safety or efficacy, it is unknown whether these might be helpful, harmful, or neutral.  You should discuss your specific situation with your oncologist and even a dietitian at the center where you get your care so that you can learn safe ways of getting adequate nutrition that is appropriate for your situation.
I hope this information helps.
Take care and best wishes..

[SueYoung55]

No, you don't. But giving up all dairy products is just smart. All dairy cows produce a lot of estrogen just to produce milk. Forget the fact that they are given de-wormers, antibiotics, growth hormones and such. And animal estrogen isn't a good thing. Then there comes the debate about phytoestrogens in plants. Soy for instance .... so many studies and so many different answers! Keep everything in moderation and you will do well.

I actually take a drug called neurontin for hot flashes.

Ask your doctor before taking anything "natural" or "over the counter" for hot flashes. Some herbs/herbal remedies actually can cause more issues than they may help with.

Best wishes!