Hi Dorothy
I was just logging off and saw this so haven't time to look in detail - there is some info on this site about these and lots of scientific literature.
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/phytoestrogens.phpFrom what I've read at low doses they can have weak oestrogenic effect but I'm sure I read at higher doses they can block the effect of our own oestrogen but don't quote me on that!
If they have a weak effect then they clearly can't be as effective as oestrogen itself. When I was peri-menopausal I took Black Cohosh and a diet rich in phtyo-oestrogens (lots of different seeds) - but didn't take any other supplements. I did think they worked at the time, but the decrease in flushes was either because there was a very weak effect or because my own hormone levels were fluctuating - because as I got into late peri-menopause nothing worked except HRT.
In your position - I seem to remember you are very young and have a very early menopause ( sorry if I've got that wrong) so would definitely be looking to take oestrogen at least untl the natural average age of menopause of 51/52.
I can understand your frustration with the BCP - which one is it? Remember there is Qlaira which contains bio-identical oestrogen so is more "natural" than the synthetic , and has only 2 tablet free days so you would't get the same dip, although still has synthetic progestogen.
The other alternative is to go completely "natural" or bio-identical and have oestrogen - patch or gel with micronised progesterone (Utrogestan).
If 100 mg would eliminate menopausal symptoms there would be literature to back this up and I for one would have been doing this as I wanted to do everything naturally! Anyway I do eat lots of this type of food - I eat quite a lot of nuts every day and beans and pulses too but my flushes still return if I reduce my HRT patch!
Hurdity x