Effectiveness of Soya Bean Powder on Menopausal Symptoms Among Rural Women

Objectives Menopause is a natural biological process often associated with physical, psychological, and vasomotor symptoms that affect women’s quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of soya bean powder supplementation in reducing menopausal symptoms in post-menopausal women. Material and Methods A total of 100 post-menopausal women were selected, with 50 in the experimental group and 50 in the control group. The experimental group received 90 grams of soya bean powder daily for 20 days under investigators supervision. Menopausal symptoms were measured using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) before and after the intervention. Data were analysed using SPSS. Results Pre-test scores (at baseline) between experimental and control groups were similar. The experimental group showed a significant reduction in menopausal symptoms, with the mean MRS score dropping from 21.90 ± 6.57 to 9.92 ± 3.15 ( p <0.001). In contrast, no significant change was observed in the control group. After the intervention, 66% of the experimental group reported mild symptoms, whereas in the control group, 44% still had severe to very severe symptoms. No significant association was found between menopausal symptoms and demographic variables such as age, education, or dietary habits. Conclusion Soya bean powder supplementation was effective in significantly reducing menopausal symptoms among post-menopausal women. Given its accessibility and affordability, soya bean may be recommended as a natural dietary intervention to improve the QoL during menopause.