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Soy's Affects on Estrogen/Fertility?

Mrs.G EsquireMrs.G Esquire
in Trying to Get Pregnant

There is a lot of conflicting information about soy's effects on fertility. Anyone have any insight or information that they would want to recommend about this issue?

I have been a vegetarian for about six years now, and (starting in January) began eliminating dairy from my diet as well. As a result, I have increased my soy intake dramatically.

I stopped BCP in January as well, and have not had a visit from AF since. My dr. has indicated that I may be low estrogen (I recently started running a lot again- and probably haven't been eating enough to compensate). I have reduced my workouts, and am eating a much higher amount of calories, but I wonder if my recent huge increase in soy intake could be affecting me as well?

This seems to be a very controversial issue. Any thoughts?

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Re: Soy's Affects on Estrogen/Fertility?

  • missycrissy3missycrissy3 member

    Soy is a estrogen driven product. If you have an overly producing estrogen issue this can really throw things into whack. I took soy isoflavones for one month and it really messed things up on my B/W. Made the doctors think I was going into early menopause but I wasnt. Just PCOS.....

    I gave up drinking soy milk also. I used it in my cereal and everything but not anymore. I just do without. The only mild product I really use is half and half in my coffee.

    Best of luck to you!

    <a href="http://s870.photobucket.com/albums/ab264/missycrissy3/?action=view
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  • CholzmeiCholzmei

    I've been vegetarian for 10 years and I personally try to avoid eating soy at home as much as possible because it is a phyto-estrogen.  Most vegetarian options when you eat out are soy-based, and to compensate, I don't eat as much of it at home.

     I would do almond milk instead of soy milk.  Rely on tempeh (which is still soy based, but it's fermented, which some people believes makes a difference), seitan, beans, lentils, etc. for protein instead of so much soy.  A lot of vegetarians turn only to tofu or soy-based meat substitute products, which is worrying to me.

    There is also an awesome soy-free vegan "cheese" product called Daiyo that I am obsessed with.

    Look at theppk.com for recipes - there are a lot that are soy-free.

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  • bigbearbigbear

    Hmm I'm really confused now. I've always heard that soy is so good for you in so many ways and definitely good while TTC.

    I eat edamame all the time and so do so lots of other women I know who have gotten pregnant without problems. In fact, my coworker who was told in young age that she'll probably never get pregnant did and the only thing she did differently is started eating soy based foods... :/

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  • Mrs.G EsquireMrs.G Esquire
    imagemissycrissy3:

    Soy is a estrogen driven product. If you have an overly producing estrogen issue this can really throw things into whack. I took soy isoflavones for one month and it really messed things up on my B/W. Made the doctors think I was going into early menopause but I wasnt. Just PCOS.....

    I gave up drinking soy milk also. I used it in my cereal and everything but not anymore. I just do without. The only mild product I really use is half and half in my coffee.

    Best of luck to you!

    Interesting- but if I am low estrogen, would it actually benefit me?

    Report Reply
  • Mrs.G EsquireMrs.G Esquire
    imagebigbear:

    Hmm I'm really confused now. I've always heard that soy is so good for you in so many ways and definitely good while TTC.

    I eat edamame all the time and so do so lots of other women I know who have gotten pregnant without problems. In fact, my coworker who was told in young age that she'll probably never get pregnant did and the only thing she did differently is started eating soy based foods... :/

    Argh- I know! There is so much conflicting information out there!

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  • missycrissy3missycrissy3 member
    imageMrs.G Esquire:
    imagemissycrissy3:

    Soy is a estrogen driven product. If you have an overly producing estrogen issue this can really throw things into whack. I took soy isoflavones for one month and it really messed things up on my B/W. Made the doctors think I was going into early menopause but I wasnt. Just PCOS.....

    I gave up drinking soy milk also. I used it in my cereal and everything but not anymore. I just do without. The only mild product I really use is half and half in my coffee.

    Best of luck to you!

    Interesting- but if I am low estrogen, would it actually benefit me?

    I wished I could answer this but I cant. Like you say its so frustrating. How do you know its low? Have you got blood drawn to see?
    <a href="http://s870.photobucket.com/albums/ab264/missycrissy3/?action=view
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  • PhotoFanPhotoFan
    imageCholzmei:

     I would do almond milk instead of soy milk.  Rely on tempeh (which is still soy based, but it's fermented, which some people believes makes a difference), seitan, beans, lentils, etc. for protein instead of so much soy.  A lot of vegetarians turn only to tofu or soy-based meat substitute products, which is worrying to me..

    What this person said...I'm not a vegetarian but I can't stand the taste of milk so I drink almond milk and it taste delicious.  

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  • Mrs.G EsquireMrs.G Esquire
    imagemissycrissy3:
    imageMrs.G Esquire:
    imagemissycrissy3:

    Soy is a estrogen driven product. If you have an overly producing estrogen issue this can really throw things into whack. I took soy isoflavones for one month and it really messed things up on my B/W. Made the doctors think I was going into early menopause but I wasnt. Just PCOS.....

    I gave up drinking soy milk also. I used it in my cereal and everything but not anymore. I just do without. The only mild product I really use is half and half in my coffee.

    Best of luck to you!

    Interesting- but if I am low estrogen, would it actually benefit me?

    I wished I could answer this but I cant. Like you say its so frustrating. How do you know its low? Have you got blood drawn to see?

    Dr. based her belief that I am low on my BMI. She didn't want to draw blood until my BMI increased because she said it would be a waste of a lab test. I was supposed to increase my BMI and return in 2 months. But in the Starbucks drive-thru this morning, it occurred to me that my soy increase happened to coincide with my missing AF.

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  • Mrs.G EsquireMrs.G Esquire
    Also meant to say that I am still working on the low estrogen remedies the dr. identified (increase BMI, cut back running, etc.) but thought that every little thing I can do to increase fertility will help!
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  • jillybean1012jillybean1012
    I've read a bunch of Fertility books and most of them indicate that soy is not good for Fertility. I've completely cut it out of my diet. I don't want to take a chance. Good Luck.
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  • stayceestaycee member
    when we started at the RE, I was told to avoid any soy.
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