Soy and Fertility

Going through the whole lot of information about soy and fertility can be very confusing. You may not find the results as well as you will get confused with the things which are already known to you about soy and fertility. There are many reports on soy and fertility which contrast each other in relation to how soy will affect fertility.

Ovulation affected by soy

Soy is made up of isoflavones which is also the plant derived estrogens, which affects the body in different ways due to its differing form. But how will it affect your body will definitely depend upon how you use soy food products. Thus you can say that effect depends upon the use. Again these effects are subjective and differ from person to person who uses this soy product.

Anecdotal accounts

The tales on anecdotal often deals with subject of women who have ingested or taken up large quantity of soy at the start of the cycle. Thousands of women across the internet claim that they have known someone using soy products or have used soy supplements or have used soy supplements or items themselves to give birth to a successful cycle. On large number of forums and boards, there are links with headlines like “has anyone used soy?” and “info on soy and ovulation” that debate whether soy is akin to using clomid when it comes to correct ovulatory problems. Not only this, there are various other links which have a debate on this issue.

Scientific evidence

Some women who have gone for the consumption of soy have obtained the results of increased chances of ovulation. Scientists feel that the consumption of soy can have a slightly detrimental effect but not noticeable affect upon women’s fertility. Some of the reports on soy include:

American journal of clinical nutrition, 1994: consumption of soy has resulted into increased follicular phase length or delayed menstruation.

The journal of nutrition, 2002: These reports were somewhat similar to the reports given by American journal of clinical nutrition, 1994. According to them soy consumption can lead to increased menstrual cycle length.

European journal of nutrition, 2004: high short term isoflavone containing intake of soy has no circulating effect on most circulating sex hormones in young healthy women.

Women and soy intake

Many women have suggested that there is an obvious relationship between soy and fertility. But the stories and such king of suggestions are simply anecdotal and not trustworthy. Although it is true that soy should be taken daily on a regular basis but there is no evidence that proves that soy hormones isoflavones produce a positive effect on ovulation. But if you are preparing a pregnancy diet which contains food to increase fertility than you have soybeans as one amongst them as they can not to a large extent but help to increase the fertility. How much amount of soy should you eat should be discussed with you doctor as you wont find it able to determine the correct amount of soy quantity required by your body.