Survey study, 2026
Does low calcium intake relate to PMS in teenage girls?
Girls with low calcium intake were more likely to have PMS and period pain. However, we cannot prove that eating more calcium would reduce PMS based on this snapshot study.
What they did
Surveyed 185 unmarried teenage girls aged 14-19 in Karachi, Pakistan from April to December 2025. Researchers asked about menstrual history, PMS symptoms based on American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology criteria, and calcium intake from food.
What they found
89.7% met diagnostic criteria for PMS, with the highest rate among 17-year-olds (39.1%). 86.5% reported period pain, and 89.1% of those also had PMS. 59% of girls consumed inadequate calcium, and among girls with low calcium intake, 62.3% had PMS. PMS significantly interfered with educational activities in 56% of participants.
What it means for you
Low calcium intake may be associated with PMS in teenage girls. Nutrition-focused school health programs could be helpful. However, this was done in one city in Pakistan with only teenage girls using self-reported data, so findings may not apply to other groups or ages.
89.7%
Had PMS
59%
Had inadequate calcium intake
56%
Had PMS interfering with school
About the study
- Original title
- Association of Premenstrual Syndrome with Calcium Intake and Dysmenorrhea: A Cross-Sectional Study of High School Female Students in Karachi
- Authors
- Syeda Aqeela Zehra, Javeria Khan, Syeda Areeba Fatima et al.
- Journal
- Liaquat Journal of Health Research
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 185
- What was tested
- None (observational study)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.64433/80ax4842
Topics
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