---
title: Does soy extract containing isoflavones help with premenstrual symptoms?
description: Soy isoflavone supplements improved some symptoms during menstruation but made mood symptoms worse during the luteal phase. Different treatments may work bett
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/chronic-effects-of-isoflavones-on-cognition-and-aggression-in-a-female-2014/
---

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- Does soy extract containing isoflavones help with premenstrual symptoms?

Study, 2014

# Does soy extract containing isoflavones help with premenstrual symptoms?

Soy isoflavone supplements improved some symptoms during menstruation but made mood symptoms worse during the luteal phase. Different treatments may work better at different times of the cycle.

 Early or limited evidence

Healthy young women (sample size not stated)

## What they did

This research tested soy extract containing isoflavones in healthy young women. The study looked at mood, aggression, and thinking problems that change across the menstrual cycle.

## What they found

Soy isoflavone supplementation improved some symptoms during menstruation but made symptoms worse, particularly mood, during the luteal phase. Women using oral contraceptives reported fewer symptoms across all phases of the cycle.

## What it means for you

Soy supplements do not appear helpful for premenstrual symptoms overall. They improved symptoms during menstruation but made symptoms worse during the luteal phase, when PMS symptoms are most severe. Oral contraceptives seemed more effective. The abstract does not state the sample size or study length.

## About the study

Original title Chronic effects of isoflavones on cognition and aggression in a female population across the menstrual cycle Authors Naomi Perry Journal Swinburne figshare (Swinburne University of Technology) Year 2014 Study design Study What was tested Soy extract containing isoflavones Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.25916/sut.26275264](https://doi.org/10.25916/sut.26275264)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)

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