New onset migraine associated with use of soy isoflavone supplements

The incidence of migraine declines with age, and by the sixth decade new-onset migraine is unusual, particularly in men. This report describes the first attack of migraine with visual aura in a 57-year-old man who had introduced soy isoflavone supplements into his diet 9 months earlier. Symptoms disappeared after a reduction in the dose of these phytoestrogen compounds. A 57-year-old physician sought relief of chronic prostatic discomfort that had resisted a variety of traditional and herbal treatments for more than 20 years. He was otherwise in excellent health, never bothered by headaches, and reported no family history of migraine. Physical examination, blood count, thyroid function, cholesterol, chemistry screen, and EKG were normal. In the spring of 2000 the patient introduced soy products into his diet; these included soybeans (GeniSoy Nuts), soy milk (Westsoy Plus), and a soy protein supplement (GNC Natural Brand) in gradually increasing quantities to a total …