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Survey study, 2006

Does eating soy help with PMS symptoms?

Higher dietary intake of soy isoflavones correlated with fewer menstrual symptoms. The link suggests soy might help, but this study cannot prove soy causes the benefit.

Early or limited evidence 84 Korean women aged 28-40 years living in the USA

What they did

Cross-sectional study of 84 Korean women aged 28-40 years living in the USA. Researchers measured soy isoflavone intake using a food frequency questionnaire and menstrual symptoms using the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire.

What they found

Soy isoflavone intake was significantly correlated with lower menstrual distress scores in the menstrual phase, suggesting a beneficial effect on symptoms.

What it means for you

This preliminary finding suggests soy isoflavones might help reduce certain menstrual symptoms. However, the study was small and cross-sectional, so it cannot prove soy causes the benefit. Other factors could explain the link. More research is needed.

84

women studied

28-40

age range in years

About the study

Original title
Intake of dietary soy isoflavones in relation to perimenstrual symptoms of Korean women living in the USA
Authors
Kim HW, Kwon MK, Kim NS et al.
Journal
Nursing & health sciences
Year
2006
Study design
Survey study
Participants
84
What was tested
None (measuring soy intake and symptoms)
Open access
Yes

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