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Recent research has warned against hormone therapy for relief, Allison Sarubin Fragakis, a registered dietician, writes in an article entitled "What Now for Hot Flashes?" Hormone therapy, whether estrogen alone or estrogen with a progestin, may actually increase a woman's risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer, she noted.

"One possible non-hormone therapy remedy is pills or powders made from soy or red clover and containing compounds called isoflavones that act like very weak estrogen," the article said. "Soy to the rescue."

Three recent studies have shown that soy can bring relief to women suffering from hot flashes, and one soy researcher, Dr. Mindy Kurzer of the University of Minnesota, has found that soy brings a 10 percent to 20 percent relief in hot flashes.

"Is that significant?" the article asked. "If you're the one suffering from that boiling-over feeling, you might consider even modest relief a blessing."

Additionally, Prevention magazine said, soy has extra benefits including replacing saturated fat, "a boon to your heart."

"After menopause, studies suggest that soy helps keep arteries flexible -- another heart boon -- and bones stronger. Intriguing new research even hints that it may boost your memory," the article said.