What is it used for?
Helps to attenuate/reduce/decrease bone (mineral density (BMD)) loss in postmenopausal women when used in conjunction with adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D [Source note 2].
May reduce severe and frequent menopausal symptoms (such as hot flashes and/or night sweats) [Source note 3].
What this guide covers
The solidus (/) indicates that either term and/or statement may be selected on the label
Restrictions when this reference is combined with other references (source review category II and III):
Specific combination rules apply to active ingredients with estrogenic (e.g., red clover isoflavone extract, soybean extracts and isolates and dong quai - Angelica sinensis) or anti-estrogenic effects [e.g., indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and, diindolylmethane (DIM)]. Consult the reference combination guide for more information.
Who does this guide cover?
Perimenopausal women; Postmenopausal women
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Methods of preparation: Standardized extracts
40 - 100 milligrams of total Aglycone Isoflavone Equivalents (AIE), per day [Source note 4].
The total isoflavones content must be expressed in milligrams total AIE on the product label and in the potency section of the product documentation.
Optional: Potencies may be indicated for specific isoflavones (biochanin A, genistein, formononetin, daidzein). Their content must also be expressed in milligrams AIE on the product label and in the potency section of the product documentation.
Refer to Appendix 1 for the definition and derivation of AIE.
How is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
How long is it used?
All uses
Ask a healthcare professional for use beyond 1 year [Source note 5].
Reduction of BMD loss
(For BMD loss:)* Use for at least 6 months to see beneficial effects [Source note 6].
Reduction of menopausal symptoms
(For menopausal symptoms:)* Use for at least 8 weeks to see beneficial effects [Source note 7].
*Note: Information in brackets is required on the label when both uses for BMD loss and menopausal symptoms are listed on the label.
Warnings and precautions
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are not up-to-date on mammograms and gynaecological evaluations [Source note 8].
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms worsen.
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have a history of hormonal or gynecological disease [Source note 9].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking any hormone replacement therapy [Source note 10].
When should it be avoided?
Do not use if you have or had breast cancer or tumours or a predisposition to breast cancer, as indicated by an abnormal mammogram or biopsy, or a family member with breast cancer [Source note 11].
Possible side effects
Stop use and ask a healthcare professional if new symptoms develops such as breast pain, a recurrence of menstruation or uterine spotting [Source note 12].
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Appendix 1: Definitions and Conversion Factors
Definitions:
Aglycone Isoflavone Equivalents (AIE):
The maximum amount of bioavailable isoflavone upon ingestion. The glycoside forms of the isoflavones must first be cleaved to the aglycone form before they can be absorbed. As such, simple addition of aglycone and glycoside forms of isoflavone quantities, without taking into consideration the biochemical transformation of the isoflavones, will overestimate bioavailable quantities by almost a factor of two [Source note 13].
Conversion factors:
The quantity of isoflavones must always be determined in terms of AIE quantities (i.e. in terms of genistein, daidzein, biochanin A and formononetin) for each of the glycoside, malonyl glycoside and/or aglycone forms present in the product.
Table 2. Conversion of specific isoflavone quantities into aglycone isoflavone equivalent (AIE) quantities [Source note 14]
| Isoflavone (1 mg) | Aglycone Isoflavone Equivalents (mg AIE) |
|---|---|
| Biochanin A | 1.0 |
| Biochanin A -7-O-glucoside | 0.64 |
| Formononetin | 1.0 |
| Formononetin-7-O-glucoside | 0.62 |
| Genistein | 1.0 |
| Genistin | 0.625 |
| Malonyl genistin | 0.521 |
| Daidzein | 1.0 |
| Daidzin | 0.611 |
| Malonyl daidzin | 0.506 |
| Glycitein | 1.0 |
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red clover isoflavone extract | Red clover isoflavone extract | Trifolium pratense |
|
References: Proper name: source ingredient database 2025; Common name: Hidalgo et al. 2005, Jeri 2002, van de Weijer and Barentsen 2002, Nachtigall et al. 1999; Source information: Tsao et al. 2006.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- May 29, 2026
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
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