It is hypothesized that the interplay between natural estrogen and lignans, is a prerequisite for optimal health in women. Therefore, they have a plethora of positive roles to play in women’s health issues. Estrogen levels are typically high in women during the childbearing years and then fall away through the peri-menopausal and post-menopausal years. While lignans have estrogen-like action, they are considerably weaker than our endogenous estrogen, and act as hormone balancers. An important feature of these plant hormones is that they do not stimulate reproductive tissue. In conditions which are linked with excess estrogen (such as PMS, unhealthy breast tissue and breast cancer) lignans compete with a woman’s own estrogen, having an estrogen lowering effect.

In conditions associated with declining estrogen levels such as menopause, lignans have the opposite effect, increasing levels of estrogen. This balancing action is due to their ability to competitively lock onto our body’s Estrogen receptor sites. Consequently, lignans are used to reduce symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and breast tenderness. Lignans have beneficial effects on the menstrual cycle. They reduce the risk of uterine fibroids in middle-aged women.

Lignan has been found to substantially increase milk production in women who are not producing enough milk to nurse their infants. It also often clears up breast engorgement. Lignans may shape up small and loose breasts in young women. Other conditions where lignans may be helpful includes bone health, prostate conditions, hair loss and acne. Women with increased intake of lignans, tend to have lower BMIs and total body fat mass, says a new study from Canada. These days woman puts weight after her first delivery. Lignans prevent this post-delivery obesity."