BALTIMORE -- About 35 million women in the United States are perimenopausal -- about one-third the female population. With hormone replacement therapy no longer popular, women are looking for other options to relieve their symptoms.

Not too long ago, Ina Singer was having trouble with hot flashes and night sweats.

"It was awful," she said. "We used to call it a two-nightgown or a three-nightgown night -- end up being soaking wet."

Her doctor suggested she try taking soy tablets. Soy contains phytoestrogens.

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"Very minute amounts of estrogen-like substances that help prevent hot flashes and night sweats, and that helps them sleep better," said urogynocologist Dr. Marcy Roenneburg. "They are less irritable ... less mood swings."

Roenneburg says for all the health benefits of soy, it should be included in a lifelong diet, not just at menopause. And she warned that not all soy is equal. Eating tofu and drinking soymilk may not give enough phytoestrogens to make a difference.

"The alcohol processes in tofu and soy milk often leach out phytoestrogens," said Roenneburg.

So she often recommends the tablets -- and they have worked for Singer.

"It has helped tremendously with the night sweats and irritability," Singer said. "I'm now able to sleep through the night."

To really get the benefit of soy to relieve symptoms, Roenneburg suggests a woman get 40 to 80 milligrams a day.