Ask the Nurse

I am a little confused as to why people generally say that eating soy is bad for you, as in it’s full of synthetic estrogen. Would this not be good for a woman who is menopausal as she will have low estrogen levels?


Please advise that soy foods are not full of synthetic estrogen. Soy foods are fine to eat like soy milk or soy burgers.

We do not advise soy supplements as they may stimulate estrogen receptors in the uterus. (However, most women do not convert soy to equol, which is a weak estrogen.) If women complain of being low in estrogen they should see a women’s health physician that can help them and prescribe hormone therapy if necessary.

All My Best,
Speaking of Women's Health Nurse

March 1, 2014 at 7:37am