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Survey study, 2019

Does regular physical activity or high soy intake reduce PMS symptoms?

Most students had light physical activity and mild PMS symptoms, but the study does not clearly show whether physical activity or soy intake reduced symptoms. The authors note that the relationship remains unclear.

Early or limited evidence 59 female students at a vocational high school in Surabaya, Indonesia

What they did

Cross-sectional questionnaire study with 59 female students at a vocational high school in Surabaya. Activity was recalled over 7 days, soy intake was measured from dietary records, and PMS severity was assessed by questionnaire.

What they found

88.1% had light physical activity levels. Soy intake was moderate at 17.22 to 28.38 portions per month. 71.2% had mild PMS. Among those with light activity, 8.6% experienced moderate PMS. Among those with high soy intake, 8.5% experienced moderate PMS. The authors stated the relationship between these factors remains unclear.

What it means for you

This study suggests a possible link between activity, soy, and PMS but does not prove whether they help reduce symptoms. The main limitations are the small sample size, the cross-sectional design, and lack of a comparison group. The authors themselves note the evidence is relatively limited.

88.1%

had light physical activity

71.2%

had mild PMS

59

participants

About the study

Original title
Regular Physical Activity, High Soy Dietary Intake and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Symptoms in Young Adult Women: A Descriptive Study
Authors
Eva Flourentina Kusumawardani, Annis Catur Adi
Journal
Jurnal Ilmiah Kedokteran Wijaya Kusuma
Year
2019
Study design
Survey study
Participants
59
What was tested
Physical activity and soy dietary intake
Open access
Yes

Topics