Case-control study, 2010
Does body weight affect the risk of developing PMS?
Yes. Higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased PMS risk. Each 1 kg/m² increase in BMI was linked to a 3% increase in PMS risk.
What they did
Prospective study within Nurses' Health Study 2. Women aged 27-44 without PMS at baseline were followed for 10 years. Researchers tracked 1057 women who developed PMS and 1968 control women, measuring BMI every 2 years by questionnaire.
What they found
Strong linear relationship between BMI and PMS risk. Each 1 kg/m² increase in BMI associated with 3% increase in risk (95% CI 1.01-1.05). Women with BMI ≥27.5 kg/m² had significantly higher risk than those with BMI <20 kg/m² (p=0.003). Higher BMI was linked to swelling of extremities, backache, and abdominal cramping (all p<0.001). Large weight change between age 18 and 1991 was associated with higher PMS risk, but weight cycling was not.
What it means for you
Maintaining healthy weight may help prevent PMS. However, the study shows only that heavier weight is linked to PMS risk, not that losing weight would help women who already have PMS. Study was limited to nurses in the US.
3%
increase in PMS risk per 1 kg/m² increase in BMI
≥27.5 vs <20
BMI values with significantly higher PMS risk
10 years
length of follow-up
About the study
- Original title
- Adiposity and the development of premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Bertone-Johnson ER, Hankinson SE, Willett WC et al.
- Journal
- Journal of women's health (2002)
- Year
- 2010
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 1,057
- What was tested
- Body weight
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2010.2128
Topics
Related studies
Survey study, 2025
Does PMDD or PMS affect quality of life?
Systematic review, 2025
Does alcohol use affect menstrual health in teenage girls?
Systematic review, 2022
What factors increase risk of period pain and PMS symptoms?
Systematic review, 2021
Does substance use change across the menstrual cycle, especially in women with PMS or PMDD?
Review, 2018
Which women are most likely to experience hot flashes during menopause?
Case-control study, 2016
Does caffeine intake cause or worsen PMS?