--- title: Does what women eat affect their risk of PMS? | Niyora description: Yes. Women eating a Western diet with fast foods and processed meats are more likely to have PMS, while those eating healthier or traditional diets show lower url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/dietary-patterns-are-associated-with-premenstrual-syndrome-evidence-from-a-case-2020/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does what women eat affect their risk of PMS? Case-control study, 2020 # Does what women eat affect their risk of PMS? Yes. Women eating a Western diet with fast foods and processed meats are more likely to have PMS, while those eating healthier or traditional diets show lower risk. Moderate study design 225 women with PMS and 334 healthy women aged 20 to 46 years ## What they did Researchers compared diet in 225 women with PMS to 334 healthy women aged 20 to 46 years. They used food frequency questionnaires to measure what women ate over the past year and used statistical analysis to identify three main dietary patterns. ## What they found Three dietary patterns emerged: Western (characterized by fast foods, soft drinks, processed meats), traditional (eggs, tomato sauce, fruits, red meat), and healthy (dried fruits, condiments, nuts). Women eating the most Western pattern showed higher likelihood of PMS compared to the lowest group. Women eating the most traditional or healthy pattern showed lower likelihood of PMS compared to the lowest group. ## What it means for you Diet patterns appear linked to PMS risk. A Western diet with processed foods may worsen PMS, while healthier eating patterns may lower risk. However, this study shows association not cause - we cannot yet say that changing your diet will definitely prevent PMS. Long-term studies are needed to confirm these findings. 225 women with PMS 334 healthy women 3 main dietary patterns identified ## About the study Original title Dietary patterns are associated with premenstrual syndrome: evidence from a case-control study Authors MoradiFili B, Ghiasvand R, Pourmasoumi M et al. Journal Public health nutrition Year 2020 Study design Case-control study Participants 334 What was tested None - comparison of dietary patterns Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1017/s1368980019002192](https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980019002192) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/) 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 Systematic review, 2025 Do nutritional interventions help with emotional symptoms of PMS? Systematic review, 2025 How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling? Randomised trial, 2026 Can nutrition education reduce PMS severity? Review, 2025 Do yoga and dietary changes help with PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2025 How much do lifestyle and diet affect PMS symptoms? Study, 2024 How do lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and stress affect menstrual health and PMS? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗