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Non-randomised trial, 2025

Does drinking soy milk or eating tempeh reduce PMS symptoms?

Soy milk significantly reduced PMS symptoms (p = 0.003), but tempeh did not (p = 0.105) in this study. Physical activity was also a strong factor.

Early or limited evidence 30 women aged 20-30 in Bekasi, Indonesia with PMS

What they did

30 women aged 20-30 in Bekasi with PMS were split into groups: some drank soy milk, some ate tempeh, some were control. They consumed their assigned product for 14 days before their period. PMS symptoms were measured before and after.

What they found

Soy milk group had a significant drop in PMS scores (p = 0.003). Tempeh group showed no significant improvement (p = 0.105). No significant difference between the soy milk and tempeh groups (p = 0.818). Physical activity was a strong influence on results (p = 0.042).

What it means for you

Soy milk might help reduce PMS, possibly because of compounds called isoflavones. Tempeh did not help in this study even though it also contains isoflavones. Physical activity matters too. The main limits are the very small sample (only 30 women total), short time period (14 days), and other factors like food intake and stress may have affected results.

30

Women studied

p = 0.003

Soy milk reduced PMS symptoms

14 days

Duration before menstruation

About the study

Original title
The Effect Of Consumption Of Soy Milk And Tempeh In Women Aged 20-30 Years With Premenstrual Syndrome
Authors
Fillah Fithra Dieny, Azizah Dynda Dwiputri, Aryu Candra
Journal
Window of Health Jurnal Kesehatan
Year
2025
Study design
Non-randomised trial
Participants
30
What was tested
Soy milk and tempeh consumed for 14 days before menstruation
Open access
Yes

Topics