Survey study, 2019
Does low vitamin D make premenstrual symptoms worse?
Yes, for some symptoms. Women with inadequate vitamin D were about 1.5 to 2 times more likely to have moderate to severe cramps, fatigue, anxiety, and confusion before their period. Low vitamin D did not increase the risk of other symptoms like bloating or headaches.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 998 women aged 20-29 at a Canadian university (2004-2010). Women completed a questionnaire about premenstrual symptoms and provided blood samples to measure vitamin D. Researchers compared symptoms between women with adequate vitamin D (20 ng/mL or higher) and those with inadequate levels, adjusting for age, BMI, exercise, and contraceptive use.
What they found
Compared to women with adequate vitamin D, those with inadequate vitamin D had higher risk of mild confusion (odds ratio 1.72) and mild desire to be alone (odds ratio 1.47). For moderate to severe symptoms, inadequate vitamin D increased risk of cramps (1.50), fatigue (1.51), anxiety (1.63), confusion (2.23), and reduced sexual desire (1.65). Vitamin D was not associated with acne, bloating, mood swings, increased appetite, headache, clumsiness, insomnia, depression, or nausea.
What it means for you
Low vitamin D may be linked to premenstrual mood and pain symptoms, but this observational study cannot prove causation. The reverse might be true: symptom-related lifestyle changes could affect vitamin D. Findings are from young Canadian women and may not apply broadly. Vitamin D supplementation might help some women but will not address all symptoms.
998
Women studied
20 ng/mL
Vitamin D cutoff for adequacy
2.23
Odds ratio for severe confusion
About the study
- Original title
- Association between Vitamin D Status and Premenstrual Symptoms
- Authors
- Jarosz AC, El-Sohemy A
- Journal
- Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Year
- 2019
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 998
- What was tested
- None, observational study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2018.06.014
Topics
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