Interestingly, these associations were stronger in 18 postmenopausal women with the CC genotype for ESR1 Pvull polymorphism, suggesting that genes influence diet effects . However, other clinical studies did find that isoflavone administration produced significant changes in E2 96,97 or progesterone concentrations . Overall, there is no solid evidence supporting the influence of phytoestrogens on SHBG 19,23,49,52,53,55,56,57,62,64,65,66, although a weak increase has been described 18,67,68. However, other studies found no significant changes in FSH and LH concentration after phytoestrogen supplementation 14,23,48,49,53,54,55. Accordingly, Duncan et al. reported that premenopausal equol excretors had a lower risk of breast cancer compared to non-excretors . Although significant correlations were obtained between serum levels of unconjugated estrogens, and urinary conjugated and unconjugated estrogen metabolites, the large intra-subject variability in urinary estrogen levels limits its use as a biomarker .
Clients who eliminate or dramatically reduce alcohol consumption see some of the most consistent testosterone improvements in my coaching practice. Studies show that men with vitamin D levels above 50 ng/mL have significantly higher testosterone than men below 20 ng/mL. If a woman has symptoms of high or low testosterone, it’s recommended that she visit a healthcare provider to get further testing and a diagnosis. High or low T levels in women may indicate an underlying medical condition, such as hirsutism, PCOS, tumors, or CAH.
In the presence of both isoflavones, 17OHPREG and DHEA levels increased indicating the inhibition of 3βHSD2 activity, impacting steroid metabolism in the mineralocorticoid, glucocorticoid, and androgen pathways. The inhibition of the lyase activity of CYP17 by the isoflavones was investigated further in the H295R adrenal model to determine effects on the Δ5 pathway in the presence of competing enzymes viz 3βHSD2, SULT2A1, and 17βHSD. Neither daidzein nor genistein influenced levels of mineralocorticoids or glucocorticoids significantly in the study subjects. Both isoflavones inhibited the lyase activity significantly with daidzein exhibiting a greater inhibitory effect.
Soy is generally considered safe for children and can be a good source of protein and other nutrients. It’s always best to consume a balanced diet and consult with a healthcare professional if you have concerns. Some individuals may be allergic to soy. However, the effects are complex and vary depending on individual factors. The concerns about testosterone reduction are largely unfounded.
In HEK293 cells transiently transfected with CYP17A1, without and in the presence of daidzein and genistein, the conversion of PROG to 17OHPROG (Figure 3A) showed that neither isoflavone inhibited the hydroxylase activity with ~0.2 μM substrate remaining after 24 h. Comparison of hormonal parameters levels with active (66 mg isoflavones) and control (0 mg isoflavones) preparations in 120 women treated for 26 weeks. They were randomized either to consume 15 g soy protein with 66 mg of isoflavones (SPI) per day or 15 g soy protein alone without any isoflavones (SP) per day for 3 months in the form of snack bars (Figure 2A). The effects of genistein and daidzein on DHEA production could therefore be investigated under basal and stimulated conditions together with the addition of 17OHPREG to analyse the lyase activity of CYP17A1. In order to elucidate the effects of two isoflavone glycones, daidzein, and genistein, on steroid pathways in vitro, we focused on CYP17A1 since the enzyme catalyses the production of DHEA, the precursor to sex steroids in steroidogenic tissue and to DHEAS in the adrenal. A number of studies have reported that isoflavones inhibit mineralo- and glucocorticoid hormone production as well as reproductive steroids in vivo and in vitro (18–21).
Some limited research suggests that very high doses of soy isoflavones may affect fertility in some women. Research suggests that soy consumption is safe and may even be beneficial for women with a history of breast cancer. The isoflavones in soy are weak and do not have the same effect as the body’s own estrogen. Despite the misconceptions, numerous studies have linked soy consumption to various health benefits. The key to understanding the soy-estrogen connection lies in isoflavones. Diets that restrict total fat below 20 percent of calories consistently show reduced testosterone levels in clinical studies. While there’s a clinical reference on "healthy" levels of testosterone, there’s no established information on the optimal range to diagnose abnormal levels in women.

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