Relation between premenstrual syndrome and equol-production status

Consumption of isoflavones, which are predominantly derived from soybeans, reduces the risk of estrogen-related diseases, such as menopausal symptoms, breast cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. Equol is more bioavailable than other soy isoflavones, and equol producers are believed to benefit to a greater extent. This study was conducted to evaluate the relation between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and equol-production status in Japanese reproductive-age women.

This was a cross-sectional, observational study. The study included 144 Japanese women aged 20-45 years. PMS patients (n = 46) were recruited at three obstetrics and gynecology clinics. Control group women (n = 98) who were not receiving therapy for PMS were recruited from the local area by advertisement. The participants' equol-production status was determined using urine samples collected after a soy challenge test.

The prevalence of equol producers was 41.8% in the control group and 23.9% in the patient group (P = 0.042). Using univariate analysis, significant risk factors for equol non-producers were being a PMS patient and being younger. In multivariate analysis with a step-wise model, being a PMS patient (odds ratio, 2.342; 95% confidence interval, 1.021-5.698) was shown to be a significant risk factor for being an equol non-producer.

This study showed a relation between PMS and equol-production status in Japanese women.