Many women unaware of dietary effects on menopause symptoms, poll shows

Many women unaware of dietary effects on menopause symptoms, poll shows | Image Credit: © nadianb – stock.adobe.com.

As Menopause Awareness Month approaches in October, new polling data highlight widespread uncertainty among women about the role of diet in alleviating menopause symptoms. A survey conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and Morning Consult found that fewer than half of women recognized diet as a factor influencing the number and severity of hot flashes.^1,2

Poll findings

The survey, conducted August 6–7, 2025, included 1,155 women across the United States. Results showed that only 43% of respondents believed diet influences hot flashes, despite research suggesting otherwise.

The poll also assessed perceptions of soy and plant-based foods. Nineteen percent of women thought soy products should be avoided during menopause, while 21% thought soy need not be avoided. Responses regarding ultra-processed plant-based foods, such as plant-based meats or dairy alternatives, were mixed. Eleven percent believed these foods reduce hot flashes, while 22% thought they increase them. When asked about weight gain, 13% believed such foods lead to weight loss, compared with 26% who associated them with weight gain.

Clinical research

The survey findings contrast with published research. Hana Kahleova, MD, PhD, director of clinical research at the PCRM, stated, “Our research has found that a low-fat plant-based diet that includes soybeans can significantly reduce hot flashes and weight in postmenopausal women. Women can even experience these health benefits when their diet includes plant-based foods that are considered ultra-processed—like soy milk and plant-based meat alternatives.”

Kahleova, along with Neal Barnard, MD, led the Women’s Study for the Alleviation of Vasomotor Symptoms (WAVS) trial, published in Menopause in 2023. That study found that a plant-based diet incorporating soy reduced moderate to severe hot flashes by 88% and supported an average weight loss of 8 pounds over 12 weeks. Secondary analysis suggested that the benefit occurred regardless of whether the plant-based foods were unprocessed or ultra-processed.

The WAVS trial enrolled 84 postmenopausal women who reported at least 2 hot flashes daily. Participants were randomly assigned either to follow a low-fat, vegan diet that included half a cup of cooked soybeans daily, or to continue their usual diet. After 12 weeks, the intervention group reported substantial reductions in symptoms compared with controls.

Clinical implications

Approximately three-quarters of women experience hot flashes during menopause, but these symptoms often receive limited attention in routine care. A 2024 study published by the Menopause Society reported that symptom management is frequently underemphasized in primary care settings.

Given the gap between public perception and clinical evidence, PCRM physicians urge clinicians to discuss diet as part of menopause management. “This Menopause Awareness Month—and all year long—I urge physicians and other clinicians to encourage their patients who are in any phase of menopause to try a plant-based diet to help fight hot flashes, reduce their weight if needed, and improve other health conditions,” said Vanita Rahman, MD, clinic director of the Barnard Medical Center in Washington, DC.

The authors of the WAVS trial emphasize that dietary interventions can provide nonpharmacologic options for symptom management, particularly for patients seeking alternatives or adjuncts to hormone therapy.

Conclusion

While research supports plant-based dietary strategies for reducing vasomotor symptoms and promoting weight loss during menopause, the new poll suggests that most women remain uncertain about diet’s role. Increasing awareness may allow physicians to provide evidence-based nutritional guidance to improve patient outcomes.

References

1. Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. New poll: Most women don’t know that diet change can reduce hot flashes. Eurekalert. September 8, 2025. Accessed September 8, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1097460
2. Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Menopause Diet Poll. Poll. August 2025. Accessed September 8, 2025.