--- title: Does the ability to produce equol from soy reduce PMS risk? | Niyora description: Women with PMS were less likely to be equol producers than those without PMS (23.9% vs 41.8%). This suggests equol production may reduce PMS risk, but this sm url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/relation-between-premenstrual-syndrome-and-equol-production-status-2016/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does the ability to produce equol from soy reduce PMS risk? Survey study, 2016 # Does the ability to produce equol from soy reduce PMS risk? Women with PMS were less likely to be equol producers than those without PMS (23.9% vs 41.8%). This suggests equol production may reduce PMS risk, but this small study cannot prove causation. Early or limited evidence 144 Japanese women aged 20-45 with and without PMS ## What they did Researchers compared 46 women with PMS to 98 without PMS by testing their ability to produce equol (a soy compound) using urine tests after they ate soy. ## What they found Only 23.9% of women with PMS were equol producers compared to 41.8% of women without PMS. Women with PMS were 2.342 times more likely to be non-producers. Younger age was also linked to not producing equol. ## What it means for you The link between equol production and PMS is interesting but this is a small cross-sectional study from one country. We cannot tell if low equol causes PMS or if something else explains both. 23.9% Equol producers in PMS group 41.8% Equol producers in control group 2.342 Odds ratio for non-producers ## About the study Original title Relation between premenstrual syndrome and equol-production status Authors Takeda T, Ueno T, Uchiyama S et al. Journal The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research Year 2016 Study design Survey study Participants 98 What was tested Soy challenge test to assess equol production Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/jog.13073](https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.13073) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/) 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 Cohort study, 2026 What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms? Review, 2026 How well do SSRIs treat PMS? Systematic review, 2026 How often do mood disorders and PMS or PMDD occur together? Systematic review, 2026 Are hormone levels different in women with PMS? Systematic review, 2026 Does vitamin D supplementation help PMS symptoms? Study, 2026 How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗