--- title: Does equol production status affect PMS symptoms in female athletes? description: Women who couldn't produce equol from soy were 3.34 times more likely to have poor athletic performance from PMS symptoms. But this is a small study in Japane url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-symptoms-interference-and-equol-production-status-in-japanese-2018/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does equol production status affect PMS symptoms in female athletes? Survey study, 2018 # Does equol production status affect PMS symptoms in female athletes? Women who couldn't produce equol from soy were 3.34 times more likely to have poor athletic performance from PMS symptoms. But this is a small study in Japanese athletes only, so results may not apply widely. Early or limited evidence 88 Japanese female collegiate athletes ## What they did Cross-sectional study of 88 Japanese collegiate female athletes. Researchers tested their ability to produce equol (a compound from soy) using a urine test after eating soy, and asked about PMS symptoms and athletic performance. ## What they found 29.5% of athletes were equol producers. 54.5% had athletic performance affected by PMS. Non-producers had 3.34 times higher odds of poor athletic performance (95% confidence interval 1.03 to 12.20). Weight restriction had 4.94 times higher odds (95% confidence interval 1.47 to 20.00). ## What it means for you Equol production status might be linked to PMS severity in athletes. However, this is a small study in one country with one specific population. The study doesn't explain why equol matters or whether findings apply to non-athletes. 29.5% Equol producers 54.5% Athletes with PMS affecting performance 3.34 Odds ratio for non-producers having poor performance ## About the study Original title Premenstrual symptoms interference and equol production status in Japanese collegiate athletes: A cross-sectional study Authors Takeda T, Ueno T, Uchiyama S et al. Journal The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research Year 2018 Study design Survey study Participants 88 What was tested Equol production status measured after soy challenge test Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/jog.13552](https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.13552) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Systematic review, 2025 Are PMS and PMDD more common in highly trained female athletes than in women who don't train intensively? Systematic review, 2025 Do different types of exercise help with PMS? Systematic review, 2023 How common are menstrual cycle problems and PMS or PMDD in female athletes? Survey study, 2026 Does stress affect premenstrual symptoms in female athletes, and can coping strategies help? Cohort study, 2026 Does the menstrual cycle phase affect how much physical activity women do? Survey study, 2025 How common is PMS in adolescent female athletes? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗