---
title: Does eating more soy affect premenstrual symptoms? | Niyora
description: Soy intake had no clear effect on premenstrual or menstrual symptoms. Higher soy intake was linked with some symptoms that happen after menstruation (irritabi
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-relationship-of-soy-isoflavone-intake-and-perimenstrual-symptoms-in-korean-2007/
---

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- Does eating more soy affect premenstrual symptoms?

Survey study, 2007

# Does eating more soy affect premenstrual symptoms?

Soy intake had no clear effect on premenstrual or menstrual symptoms. Higher soy intake was linked with some symptoms that happen after menstruation (irritability, mood swings), but this is not typical PMS.

 Moderate study design

245 Korean women aged 19 to 49 years, average age 32

## What they did

Asked 245 Korean women aged 19 to 49 about their usual soy intake and what symptoms they experienced around their menstrual cycle.

## What they found

The average woman ate soy isoflavones equivalent to 37.2 mg per day. Higher soy intake was linked to muscle stiffness, irritability, decreased work efficiency, and mood swings after menstruation. There was no connection between soy intake and premenstrual or menstrual symptoms.

## What it means for you

If you have PMS, eating more soy probably won't help with symptoms before your period. Some women reported more irritability and mood changes after their period if they ate more soy, but this is a different pattern. This is a one-time survey, not a test of cause and effect.

245

Women studied

37.2 mg per day

Average soy isoflavone intake

32 years

Average age of participants

## About the study

Original title The relationship of soy isoflavone intake and perimenstrual symptoms in Korean women Authors Jinmo Khil, Hae‐Won Kim Journal The FASEB Journal Year 2007 Study design Survey study Participants 245 What was tested None – study of usual soy intake Read the paper [doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.21.6.lb46-a](https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.21.6.lb46-a)

## Topics

[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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