---
title: Are diet and lifestyle factors associated with premenstrual symptoms?
description: Most dietary factors were not related to PMS. Smoking increased symptoms, and alcohol was associated with fewer mood and headache symptoms.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/diet-and-lifestyle-factors-associated-with-premenstrual-symptoms-in-a-racially-2007/
---

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- Are diet and lifestyle factors associated with premenstrual symptoms?

Survey study, 2007

# Are diet and lifestyle factors associated with premenstrual symptoms?

Most dietary factors were not related to PMS. Smoking increased symptoms, and alcohol was associated with fewer mood and headache symptoms.

 Moderate study design

3,302 midlife women from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds

## What they did

Researchers analyzed data from 3,302 midlife women of different races and ethnicities. They examined relationships between reported premenstrual symptoms and diet (phytoestrogens, fiber, fat, calcium), alcohol and caffeine use, smoking, exercise, and socioeconomic status.

## What they found

Most dietary factors were not related to PMS. Fat intake was associated with less craving and bloating (odds ratio 0.56). Fiber was associated with more breast pain (odds ratio 1.39). Alcohol was associated with less anxiety (odds ratio 0.63) and fewer headaches (odds ratio 0.50). Current smoking (odds ratio 1.60) and passive smoke exposure were associated with more cramps. Symptom reporting differed significantly by race and ethnicity.

## What it means for you

Diet alone is unlikely to be a major driver of PMS, but smoking appears harmful. Racial and ethnic differences in symptom reporting suggest culture may influence how women describe or experience symptoms. The study included only midlife women and may not apply to younger women.

0.56

odds ratio for fat intake and bloating

1.60

odds ratio for smoking and cramps

3302

women in study

## About the study

Original title Diet and lifestyle factors associated with premenstrual symptoms in a racially diverse community sample: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) Authors Gold EB, Bair Y, Block G et al. Journal Journal of women's health (2002) Year 2007 Study design Survey study Participants 3,302 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2006.0202](https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2006.0202)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Calcium](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-calcium/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Economic burden](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-economic-burden/)

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