ASIANS LESS PRONE TO HOT FLASHES AFTER MENOPAUSE
\doc\web\99\05\menop.txt It is
well-known that "hot flushes" and other symptoms of menopause are
much less common in East Asia than they are in Europe and North
America (14-18% of menopausal East Asian women and 70-80% of European
women experience hot flushes). This difference probably reflects the
high intake of estrogen-like substances in the East Asian diet,
notably in soybean products (Knight and Eden 1996:900).
Date sent: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 11:58:13 -0500
To: jacobsk@anthro.umontreal.ca, evolution@human-nature.net,
evolution-t@Glue.umd.edu, H-SCI-MED-TECH@H-NET.MSU.EDU, hbe-l@a3.com,
h-bd@egroups.com, H-NEXA@H-NET.MSU.EDU, ladrierc@MAGELLAN.UMontreal.CA
From: Peter Frost
Subject: [h-bd] Re: Menopause in biocultural perspective
Ken,
I'm gradually collecting information for a future article on the consumption
of phytoestrogens and their effects on Japanese society and culture
(including effects on menopause). It is well-known that "hot flushes" and
other symptoms of menopause are much less common in East Asia than they are
in Europe and North America (14-18% of menopausal East Asian women and
70-80% of European women experience hot flushes). This difference probably
reflects the high intake of estrogen-like substances in the East Asian diet,
notably in soybean products (Knight and Eden 1996:900).
What is less well-known is that East Asian consumption of phytoestrogens has
varied historically. In Japan, consumption of tofu and other soybean
products increased markedly during the Tokugawa period (1603-1867) with the
virtual disappearance of meat from the diet of most Japanese (Hanley
1997:67-68). Dietary intake of phytoestrogens probably reached levels even
higher than is the case today.
Interestingly, the Tokugawa period also coincided with a shift in ideals of
feminine beauty: "gradually, slim and fragile women with slender faces and
up-turned eyes began to be preferred to the plump, pear-shaped ideal that
remained dominant until the middle of the eighteenth century" (Wagatsuma
1967). A recent book called "Male Colors" (I don't have the full reference
at hand) also claims that the Tokugawa period saw an increase in the
prevalence of male homosexuality.
There are, however, confounding factors that I need to rule out. The
Tokugawa period also seems to have coincided with an increase in female
infanticide. So a relative shortage of women may have facilitated
expression of homosexual behavior.
I haven't yet found anything on how Japanese women experienced menopause
during this period. Most of the relevant information is probably available
only in Japanese-language publications.
References:
Knight, D.C. and J.A. Eden. 1996. "A review of the clinical effects of
phytoestrogens," Obstet Gynecol 87:897-904
Wagatsuma, H. 1967. "The social perception of skin color in Japan," Daedalus
96:407-443.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Peter Frost
GETIC (Groupe d'études inuit et circumpolaire)
Université Laval
Sainte-Foy (Québec) CANADA
G1K 7P4
Tel. (418) 683-1740 Website: http://www.globetrotter.net/gt/usagers/pfrost
Lorsque l'homme veut faire l'ange, il finit par faire la bête.