Soy and Female Fertility

In this episode, we’ll examine research on the relationship between soy and femaile fertility. Do phytoestrogens from soy help or harm female fertility? Let’s break down the science and highlight key takeaways for dietitians and healthcare professionals.

Check out the Women's Health Nutrition Learning Hub at whnlearninghub.com

References: 

Vanegas, J. C., Afeiche, M. C., Gaskins, A. J., Mínguez-Alarcón, L., Williams, P. L., Wright, D. L., Toth, T. L., Hauser, R., & Chavarro, J. E. (2015). Soy food intake and treatment outcomes of women undergoing assisted reproductive technology. Fertility and Sterility, 103(3), 749–755.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.12.104

Rizzo, G., Feraco, A., Storz, M. A., & Lombardo, M. (2022). The role of soy and soy isoflavones on women’s fertility and related outcomes: an update. Journal of Nutritional Science, 11, e17. https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2022.15

Gaskins, A. J., & Chavarro, J. E. (2018). Diet and fertility: A review. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 218(4), 379–389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2017.08.010

Salsano, R., et al. (2019). To eat soy or not to eat soy: The ongoing look at phytoestrogens and fertility. Fertility and Sterility, 112(5).

Mitsunami, M., Mínguez-Alarcón, L., Florio, A. A., Wang, S., Attaman, J. A., Souter, I., Hauser, R., & Chavarro, J. E. (2023). Intake of soy products and soy isoflavones in relation to ovarian reserve. Fertility and Sterility, 119(6), 1017–1029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.02.039

Jacobsen, B. K., Jaceldo-Siegl, K., Knutsen, S. F., Fan, J., Oda, K., & Fraser, G. E. (2014). Soy isoflavone intake and the likelihood of ever becoming a mother: The Adventist Health Study-2. International Journal of Women’s Health, 6, 377–384. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S57137

Chavarro, J. E., Mínguez-Alarcón, L., Chiu, Y. H., Gaskins, A. J., Souter, I., Williams, P. L., Calafat, A. M., & Hauser, R. (2016). Soy intake modifies the relation between urinary bisphenol A concentrations and pregnancy outcomes among women undergoing assisted reproduction. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 101(3), 1082–1090. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2015-3473

Mumford, S. L., Sundaram, R., Schisterman, E. F., Sweeney, A. M., Barr, D. B., Rybak, M. E., Maisog, J. M., Parker, D. L., Pfeiffer, C. M., & Buck Louis, G. M. (2014). Higher urinary lignan concentrations in women but not men are positively associated with shorter time to pregnancy. The Journal of Nutrition, 144, 352–358. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.113.184820

Unfer, V., Casini, M. L., Gerli, S., Costabile, L., Mignosa, M., & Di Renzo, G. C. (2004). Phytoestrogens may improve the pregnancy rate in in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer cycles: a prospective, controlled, randomized trial. Fertility and Sterility, 82(6), 1509–1513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.07.934

Shahin, A. Y., Ismail, A. M., Zahran, K. M., & Makhlouf, A. M. (2008). Adding phytoestrogens to clomiphene induction in unexplained infertility patients – a randomized trial. Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 16(4), 580–588. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1472-6483(10)60455-3