--- title: Does nutrient intake and exercise affect PMS symptom severity? description: Yes. Women with higher calcium intake had significantly fewer PMS symptoms across all age groups. Exercise frequency was also associated with lower symptoms i url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-study-on-correlation-between-premenstrual-syndrome-and-nutrient-intake-2004/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does nutrient intake and exercise affect PMS symptom severity? Survey study, 2004 # Does nutrient intake and exercise affect PMS symptom severity? Yes. Women with higher calcium intake had significantly fewer PMS symptoms across all age groups. Exercise frequency was also associated with lower symptoms in women in their thirties and forties. This suggests dietary and lifestyle changes may help. Early or limited evidence 299 women in Busan metropolitan city, South Korea, ranging from their twenties to forties ## What they did Cross-sectional survey of 299 women in Busan, South Korea. All participants completed a menstrual discomfort questionnaire about PMS symptoms and provided information about their nutrient intake and exercise habits. The study analyzed associations between these factors and PMS symptom severity. ## What they found Overall PMS symptoms increased with age (twenties: 2.07 points, thirties: 2.34 points, forties: 2.47 points). Calcium intake was negatively correlated with PMS symptoms in all age groups. For women in their twenties, carbohydrate and vitamin E intake also correlated with lower symptoms. For thirties, vitamin C correlated with lower symptoms. Exercise frequency correlated with fewer symptoms in women aged 30 and older. BMI did not correlate with PMS symptoms. ## What it means for you The study suggests calcium intake may help reduce PMS symptoms across ages, with some additional nutrients helping in younger women. Exercise also appears beneficial. However, this is a cross-sectional study showing only correlation, not causation. Findings are from one South Korean city. 299 Number of women studied 2.07 to 2.47 PMS symptom score increase with age Calcium Nutrient correlated with lower symptoms in all ages ## About the study Original title A Study on Correlation between Premenstrual Syndrome and Nutrient Intake, Exercise Habit of Women Authors B T Hwang, Yi‐Sub Kwak Journal Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Year 2004 Study design Survey study Participants 299 What was tested None. This was an observational study analyzing dietary and exercise patterns in relation to PMS symptoms. Read the paper [doi.org/10.3746/jfn.2004.9.4.383](https://doi.org/10.3746/jfn.2004.9.4.383) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Calcium](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-calcium/)[Vitamin E](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-e/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Non-randomised trial, 2020 What treatments help premenstrual syndrome? Randomised trial, 2025 Can soy isoflavone supplements help with PMS and PMDD symptoms? Study, 2002 Which PMS treatments have good scientific evidence? Randomised trial, 2000 Which dietary supplements help PMS? Review, 2025 Do yoga and dietary changes help with PMS symptoms? Review, 2023 Can herbs and supplements help with PMS symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗