When the website Bustle posted "The 28 Most Significant Period Moments in TV & Movie History," we were surprised that while 17 of them (including Darlene on "Roseanne," Vada in "My Girl," Blossom on "Blossom") dealt with a girl's first period, only one mentioned the pain menstruation can cause — even though that pain affects 80 percent of women at some time in their life.
For 10 percent of women, it's even bad enough to completely disrupt daily activities.
If you struggle with such symptoms, you wouldn't want to increase your discomfort, or wish it on your female child.
But more evidence is showing that feeding newborns soy-based formula can alter their reproductive health in far-reaching ways.
A new study published in Human Reproduction found that women 18 to 22 who were exposed to soy formula as infants were 50 percent more likely to have moderate to severe menstrual discomfort and pain than females who never had soy formula.
The lead researcher, Kristen Upson, Ph.D., says it may be early-life exposure to the phytoestrogen genistein in soy formula that interferes with development of the reproductive system, including factors involved in menstrual pain.
And a study published in March 2018 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that infant girls fed soy formula have changes in their vaginal and uterine cell structures.
More research is needed to be certain how, and how much, soy formulas damage reproductive health.
There are alternatives for non-breastfed infants who cannot tolerate lactose or milk proteins, or who are being raised vegetarian. Talk to your pediatrician about the smart choice for your child