Ahhh, the controversy of soy. There is evidence to support both arguments. Some scientists feel since it is estrogenic (binds to estrogen receptors), soy would stimulate fibroid growth. Others feel it acts as a weak estrogen. Therefore, soy would bind to the receptors, block your estrogen from binding, and be beneficial.
I’ll talk more about that in a minute but I first wanted to list the 5 forms of soy that can be found in my house right now:
tofu (refrigerated, shelf-stable, and dried)
miso paste (white and red)
soy beans (dried)
Yes, I really enjoy soy. My husband thinks there’s something wrong with me because I like the texture of tofu.
Let’s talk a little more about the science since I’m a geek and that’s what I do…
I found a great paper a couple of weeks ago put out by the UK Food Standards Agency . It discusses everything you would ever want to know about soy and phytoestrogens.
This report of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) considers the public health implications of exposure to phytoestrogens in the diet. The report was drafted by a specially convened Working Group of the Committee with the following terms of reference:
To advise on the health implications of dietary phytoestrogens through review of published scientific research and the Food Standards Agency’s phytoestrogen research programme.
The paper is pretty long (A few hundred pages. No, I’m not kidding.) but worth digging through if you’re interested in soy. It’s the most complete report I’ve found so far. Definitely, a geek’s dream!
After reviewing the published scientific data, the group concluded that more studies are needed. There is some evidence emerging in these areas but we need more:
- Just how is soy digested? What is the role of the gut microflora in the metabolism and bioavailability of phytoestrogens?
- How are phytoestrogens absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted (pharmacokinetics)?
- What is involved with the receptor interaction? Estrogen receptors are transcription factors so what’s happening when phytoestrogens bind? Which genes are turned on?
- What else are phytoestrogens doing in the body besides binding to receptors?
Links if you don’t have time for the long paper:
USDA-Iowa State University Database on the Isoflavone Content of Foods
Pretty neat because it allows you to compare the isoflavone (phytoestrogen) content in various foods.
If that link doesn’t work, you can grab the data table here:
USDA-Iowa State University Database on the Isoflavone Content of Foods, Release 1.3 – 2002
(Remember you need Adobe Reader to view the PDF files. It’s a free download.)
Since there are so many questions, I eat soy. It has not caused me problems and I really like the taste. I’m limiting my meat these days so soy and beans are good substitutes for me. Having said this, because there are still so many questions, I understand being cautious.
Tina gave a soy recommendation on the alternative therapy page. At least now I have a guideline for comparison. The soy discussion started on that page so I must thank Jess and Tina. Soy consumption is a hot topic when it comes to fibroids. Hopefully, scientists will conduct more research in this area.
So, talk to me about soy and fibroids. What are you eating or not eating? Any substitutes for those who want to cut back? I’ve heard almond milk and rice milk are good…
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Related Posts:
Can I change my diet to help with fibroids?
Is there a natural alternative therapy or treatment for uterine fibroids?
March 14, 2007 at 8:05 am
Hi,
I don’t have fibroids or any other condition, so I dont have any personal suggestions for you. But you might really find this site very informative.
http://www.westonaprice.org
There are loads of articles on soy as well as almost all other foods and health issues including a “women’s health” section.
March 14, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Soy. My mother loves it and swore by it during menopause…she really didn’t have any symptoms at all and thanks soy for that. My aunt avoids soy at all costs because she has a fibroid and thinks eating soy will make it bigger. So…having these people in my life leads me to believe that soy increases estrogen….estrogen = fibroid growth = BAD, right??? I haven’t had a chance to read any of the above articles yet, so I still don’t know if I’m following an old wives’ tale or what??
Jess
March 14, 2007 at 4:06 pm
I was drinking soy milk periodically for several months last year. When my period started to change (heavier, more clots, etc), I stopped the soy milk just to see what would happen. I’m not sure if it made much difference, especially since it wasn’t a big factor in my diet.
However, beginning this year I started exercising a little more and have switched to a nearly all vegetarian diet (periodically eat some fish and chicken.) My last three periods have been quite different; more moderate flow and fewer clots.
I don’t know if it is the diet or if my hormones are just being nice to me but I’ll continue this approach for now. And I’ll definitely check out the recommended articles. We’re all so different. We just have to see what works for each of us.
Amy
March 14, 2007 at 11:18 pm
I eat a lot of soy products as my husband is a vegetarian. They have just linked eating soy to cancer!! Now that’s just about everything that causes cancer, even breathing!! I love tofu, but as they say everything in moderation and that is my maxim and my helpful, handy hint for the day.
March 21, 2007 at 6:30 pm
you know I often wondered if all the soy milk I consume caused my fibroid growth, I didn’t realise it was something which is actually in discussion, just something I thought of all by my lonesome. My sister in law said actually soy milk doesn’t give you all the phyto eostrogens you get from other soy products. hmm, and I was hoping it would help allay menopause symptoms when it decides to arrive. years ago one woman told me a glass a day stops symptoms.
Apparently in places like Japan there is no word for menopause.
Hey Sunday yep, looks like everything causes cancer, don’t breathe anyone.
April 17, 2007 at 8:17 am
I just start to intensely clean up my diet. Less meats, more fish, vegetables, water, and increasing the soy in my diet. Well, in July my biggest fibroids were measured at 4cm, just recently, through my CAT scan they were measured at 8cm.
I can’t say that soy has had a direct impact on the increase growth of my fibroids. I also cannot rule it out, I am going to stop consuming soy to see if this changes. Will update you next month.
October 4, 2007 at 6:45 pm
I had a 3.5 pound fibroid surgically removed at the age of 31. Prior to this, I had been the picture of health never having any significant illnesses or ailments. After the surgery, my hormones were a mess so I went to a well respected Naturopath/MD who specializes in women’s reproductive issues. She told me to STOP consuming soy products. That there have been a number of studies that have linked soy consumption with fibroids and other women’s issues. It has been over a year now and I am pleased to say the smaller fibroid my surgeon didn’t remove due to it’s location has shrunk significantly.
I think our society grabbed hold of the so-called health benefits of soy, but didn’t think about consuming these products in moderation. I mean, I was drinking a grande soy hot chocolate every day. Not to mention all of the edamame, tofu, tempeh, etc etc etc…
After this experience I can say, without a doubt, that I will never consume soy again. I really don’t believe the benefits outway the risks.
October 5, 2007 at 5:14 pm
I have 3 fibroids. They were growing rapidly. My doctor said my uterus was the size of a 12 wk pregnancy & recommended a hysterectomy. After starting to drink soy I went back for a followup 6 months later. My doctor told me that the fibroids were stable and no longer growing. In the beginning I did notice more discharge in which the soy could have caused more secretion from the hormonal change. I no longer experience hot flashes & pms as long as I continue to drink the soy milk. Also I notice they feel larger during my period but shrink after it’s over. I do exercise and have been for 21 years. (Run 4 miles on every Saturday) I’ve always heard & have been told by doctors that exercise helps. Have 2 kids, never had fibroid problems during preganancy. The fibroids came later. My mother had an emergency hysterectomy because it was discovered that she had fibroids during a miscarriage procedure. Even though I have fibroids they’ve never caused problems except for one period in my whole life (36 yrs). Sometimes I notice my periods change during the fall and spring months. I say pay attention to your body and notice certain patterns that occur, take your time before considering surgery. Soy has worked for me.
August 20, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I am convinced that my fibroid growth is due to Soy protein. In 2002, I discovered that I was hypoglycemic and that I should eat many small meals a day, each with protein. I discovered the beauty of soy protein and ate many of my small meals with soy as a base (protein bars, soy milk etc). After all, soy protein is good for you, right? In 2005, I had a myomectomy where my doctor took out 18 fibroids. I was 34 at the time. Now, exactly 3 years later, I am told that I need to have surgery again. The sonogram showed that I have at least 5 big fibroids, one of them is as large as my uterus. I wish that I had known then that soy could be a factor. I’d encourage women and men to stay away from it. People in the East do not eat it in the quantities that Westerners do. They also eat their soy after it has been processed. I’m very thankful for forums like this. Good luck everyone.
February 25, 2010 at 5:38 am
Thank you for this post. Am thinking it is very individualized to each woman’s body, but I did a calendaring of the past 7 years of when I increased my consumption of soy and when my fibroid symptoms were at their worst. They were always worse when I was on a soy kick. Thank you for sharing and I am sorry that you had so many fibroids. Mine are not in number, but just in the wrong location.
August 21, 2008 at 10:47 am
Elizabeth, it’s frustrating that there is so little knowledge on what causes fibroids and what you can change in your diet to adjust them. I asked my surgeon this post op and he said it’s all just speculation at this point. They do know they are caused by female hormones. I wish we all had a better answer, but I take the stance of everything in moderation. If you are concerned cut back your soy and eat more legumes, beans and spinach. Egg whites. Tons of protein sources out there.
September 22, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Great website – Very helpful!
October 8, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Great website! I had been basically addicted to soy milk and edamame for roughly 10 years (ages 18-28). Although I’d had a ton of painful ovarian cysts, I’d never had fibroids. When I met and moved in with the man that became my husband at 28, I sadly gave up soy milk for low fat cow’s milk for a couple of years. It was during that time that I stopped consuming so much soy that I developed fibroids. I’ve recently started soy milk again in moderation in the hope that my fibroids may shrink (I clearly subscribe to the Weil biofeedback theory on soy and fibroids). Also, I should note that my mother developed fibroids in her late 30s, and has never had a soy product in her life–she hates the stuff.
October 26, 2008 at 1:39 am
I have been a vegetarian since I was 12, I’m now 34, so I have eaten heaps of soy in various forms over that time. I had a bad experience with fibroids that led to terrifying blood loss and eventually surgery. Since my last operation things have been fine. I was also worried about soy as I would find it very hard to give it up and I had read that only a small amount in a male diet can cause infertility issues. However, after reading through the above posts the effects of soy on fibroids is clearly inconclusive; some people think it has been beneficial and others don’t. The only way to deal will it all sensibly is be slim, fit, and take every food type in moderation.
January 17, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Help!
Does soy cause fibroids or not.
What can we do to decrease fibroids? Please help.
My Doc said that once you go into menopause, the fibroids shrink. I am wondering if cherry juice would shrink fibroids? It is known to decrease inflamation..
I need some real answers…
Does anyone know what will decrease fibroids except waiting for menopause.
I drink soy milk and eat some soy mean products..
I would think meat would cause fibroids to become larger as the animals are shot with hormones and then we eat the mean and then that causes fibroids to become larger..
My doc said that hormones such as Kariva or hormone patches cause fibroids to enlarge..
I have stopped all hormone therapy..
now what…. help
February 25, 2010 at 5:47 am
Hi,
There are no real answers to this phenomenon. It is a state of be as healthy as you can and find what works for your body. Mine is eating what makes me feel good in a raw and vegetarian day to day routine, but I do not make it a hastle with friends when we go out or I have a meal at their home. I feel that mind of matter and the belief that I will have a smooth and easy future is the only way to change your body.
BTW, I have been to the ER stuffed with morphine, have been hemorrhaging for 21 days with the only outcome being a hysterectomy which I will not do for spiritual and physical reasons. The one thing that stopped my 21 days was meditating, chanting and eating only organic.
It has been a year since you posted, but I hope you are doing well. I no longer have extreme difficulties, but I have occasional extreme periods.
Faith, laughter, friendships and believing that I have no difficulties is the best medicine.
January 17, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Honestly, I think a vegan diet must be the answer.
January 17, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Email me if anyone has any suggestions on how to slow down the fibroids naturally.
October 4, 2009 at 11:11 pm
YEs, you can help reduce fibroids and maybe completely remove them from your body. A fibroid grows in acidic environments. If you remove the environment, it dies. It’s that simple. I have seen this work. You have to change your sugars, salts, and the type of water you drink. Increase the pH level of your body to a more alkaline state and the acid waste will be transported out of your body. Once you’ve done that, the environment in your body is PRO-life instead of Anti…stay away from processed foods as much as you can as well.
October 5, 2009 at 12:08 am
Rod,
So many people talk about reducing or eliminating fibroids naturally, I’ve become extremely skeptical of claims like this that don’t give any real references.
It would be great if you could tell us how you know:
- that fibroids grow in acidic environments, and
- that removing the acidic environment kills them.
If this is really true, it could help many, many women.
As you say you have seen this work, please tell us more, like:
- more details about what women need to do,
- what exactly happens to them?
- how was it determined that the fibroids died?
- how many women have been able to do this?
- how long does it take to kill the fibroids?
- does it work with all sized fibroids?
Thanks.
April 13, 2009 at 12:10 am
I think soy causes the fibroids to grow, because I was on herbal lfe taking this vanilla soy mix it really messed me up. Now I eat everything organic, things has change for the better.
April 13, 2009 at 12:12 am
Eat everything Organic
April 30, 2009 at 11:28 am
I’m 42 years old with 2 kids. Why did I just google “soy and fibroids?” Well, I had my pap smear yesterday. It’s been exactly one year since my last pap and my uterus has is pulling to the side due to “fibroid tumors” that were palpable to the doctor.
What has changed over the last year? I went on a fitness plan that required me to drink up to 3 SOY protein shakes a day. Prior to this year I did not eat a lot of soy products.
I’m now going back this morning to get the ultrasound to measure these growths.
There has to be a link!
June 5, 2009 at 2:14 am
Thank you all for giving your honest opinion about soy. I will avoid this product in the future.
July 13, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I am 54 and postmenopausal (so says my doc) and have 5 fibroids that grew pretty quickly in the last year-and-a-half or two. I had a myomectomy in 1998 for very large fibroids, and have been waiting for menopause to be over figuring that would end the risk of re-growth. Well, now according to my doc (and apparently my body), “not necessarily”. So now I’ve been bleeding for 39 days straight (we’ve ruled out cancer), and my doctor isn’t considering anything other than hysterectomy. I’m not ready to give up my uterus. I’ve managed to keep it this long, and still consider it to have value to me.
So if my hormone levels are so low that he can definitively say I’m done with menopause, and they’re not shrinking, I figure there must be a reason. I’m looking at soy, and also plastics. I’ve been increasing my soy isoflavones over the last couple of years because of the hot flashes and I also eat tofu. I’m not happy about it, but I’m giving them up and we’ll see what happens.
I’d really appreciate any other info or suggestions anyone else has.
February 25, 2010 at 5:52 am
Hi,
Hopefully you still get this reply after so many months. Would love to here if the soy helped or hindered.
I also had multiple weeks of hemorrhaging a year ago and when I went back on soy I started having difficulties.
Good luck!
July 14, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Hi Margaret,
I’m sorry you’re going through this too. Just curious as to what sort of value your uterus has at this stage in your life. In my opinion it has become nothing but trouble. And to be honest, despite what Doctors say, personally, I don’t believe the fibroids ever shrink. I started noticing after a while that there are lots of older women out there that are not overweight in any way, except for having a belly. I believe that is from fibroids that were never removed. The women I’m talking about are in their 70’s or so, and I’m sure well past menopause. I’m counting the days (months) until I can afford to have a hysterectomy. I realize there are cons with the procedure, but I will be happy to deal with them, as long as I don’t have to deal with these little monsters anymore, that are moving my organs all about, and having periods every month out of the blue, after not having had any in almost a year.
Not that I’ve never had soy, but I haven’t had any soy in a very long time, and I’m still going through the same sort of things that you are. I’ve had these darn tumors for at least 4 yrs. In the last 2 yrs they have grown in leaps and bounds. I’m not sure if any of this has been helpful, I was just curious why you would hang on to your uterus if you have the option of ending the misery.
February 25, 2010 at 5:57 am
Hi,
Did you finally get the Hysterectomy? My mom says to end the misery too, but I feel that my female organs were given to me as part of my being. Have used meditation, chanting, mind of over matter, yoga and positive thinking to create more balance with my female predicaments.
Part of me wants it to just all go away, but I believe that I will add more unknowns that are just as harmful and I was born with these innards.
Hopefully you still will receive this update as it has been several months.
July 18, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Hi Margaret,
Check out the following thread:
http://blog.geekwithfibroids.com/2006/10/24/how-are-you-feeling-after-your-endometrial-ablation/
I had my EA back in ‘06 and it’s worked wonders as far at the bleeding goes – you can read some of my posts there and elsewhere as well.
Natalie, I’ve also noticed the older women with bellies who aren’t otherwise fat and I’ve also wondered if they had fibroids or the bellies were due to c-sections or lots of babies or what!! That said, while I do wish I didn’t have fibroids and am still hoping to get mine out, I am not ready to have a hysterectomy and am going to keep that as a last resort.
I’m not particularly scared of surgery, but would rather keep everything in there that originally was there… *Admittedly* I don’t recall all anatomical details, but it is my understanding and it makes sense to me, that the connective tissue between the different organs helps to keep everything in place, hold other organs up etc. For example, if I recall correctly, there are ligaments or some other kind of tissue between the uterus and the bladder which helps to keep the bladder in the right position and once you cut out the uterus there is less to hold it up and in place and some women have had problems with prolapsed bladders after hysterectomies and urine leakage. Admittedly, I think for the most part, doctors are doing the surgery differently now to prevent that from happening, but hey, if I can get the fibroids out without taking the uterus with it, I’d rather do that! I also had a friend who has suffered *greatly* from nerve damage caused during her hysterectomy – she literally has never been the same due to the pain she is in daily. Not only that, but her rectum was punctured during the procedure and it wasn’t discovered right away! (And this was a doctor with a good reputation in the SF Bay Area… not a doc in a small hospital in the middle of nowhere.)
Yes, there are plenty of successful procedures that take place everyday, but there are also mistakes and I would rather not do something quite as drastic unless I have no other option.
August 8, 2009 at 4:51 am
As I just had been reading an article on 100-year olds and their lifestyle, it includes consuming soy products, I just had to check the info again on soy and fibroids. The answer is not obvious I see. So I am just going to continue to avoid eating soy products on a regular basis.
About the bloated bellies, I did find a remedy that helps me: put 1 spoon of unsulphered black strap molasses in a glass of hot water, and drink on empty stomach in the morning. It has made a difference for me. When the fibroids were discovered I was taking anti-coagulants and that made me even more bloated and increased the hemoraging. I felt better within a week of taking blackstrap molasses.
February 25, 2010 at 6:00 am
Wow, really? My mom used to give me a spoonful every week as a kid and I loved it. Thank you and I will try this!
August 10, 2009 at 11:13 am
Hi Kim,
The answer on soy isn’t clear at all but I have noticed that when I eat tofu my abdomen gets puffy and my uterus weeps a light pink. I suspect that once I am past menopause I may rather enjoy having soy when I no longer have estrogen running about my body in such abundance, but until that happens I am trying to avoid it. I still use soy sauce because the fermented and much more dilute form doesn’t cause the same effects.
September 19, 2009 at 8:22 pm
YAY!!!
WordPress tell’s me the blog has been fixed!!!
I’ve asked if it was an actual malfunction or the domain mapping wasn’t paid up or whatever…. and will continue to follow through on this is just in case.
I really hope the whole thing is working again and all the regulars come back!
(for those who get all the comments emailed to them, sorry for all the repeat posts, but I want the message to get through to everyone!)
February 26, 2010 at 1:07 am
2 1/2 weeks post AM. Hobbling downstairs now to pour my Silk down the drain. Thanks for the info on soy, Ladies. I’m so sick of fibroids, I don’t want them EVER to grow back!
February 26, 2010 at 1:08 am
…but what should I drink in leiu of my Silk? Milk contains hormones and makes me stuffy.
February 27, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Just a comment about the issue with soy. I never consumed soy products, and I have fibroids. remember that some of the comments about the possible effects of the estrogen like compounds in some vegetables is not based on strict scientific research, sometimes it is proposed but not completely proven (the human body is too complex to have a good research performed to determine the effect of just one specific food in our diets). The best advice, be moderated in what you consume, and check yourself what consequences come after you consume a specific food. Regarding milk, the most likely cause of bloatiness is just lactose intolerance.
good luck!