--- title: Does eating fish help reduce PMS or PMDD symptoms in female athletes? description: Fish or dried fish consumption was associated with lower risk of poor athletic performance caused by PMS or PMDD in female athletes. The overall prevalence of url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/fish-consumption-and-premenstrual-syndrome-and-dysphoric-disorder-in-japanese-2016/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does eating fish help reduce PMS or PMDD symptoms in female athletes? Survey study, 2016 # Does eating fish help reduce PMS or PMDD symptoms in female athletes? Fish or dried fish consumption was associated with lower risk of poor athletic performance caused by PMS or PMDD in female athletes. The overall prevalence of PMS and PMDD was similar in athletes and nonathletes. Early or limited evidence 312 female collegiate students (200 athletes, 112 nonathletes) in Japan ## What they did Compared 200 female collegiate athletes to 112 nonathletes. Measured PMS and PMDD prevalence and asked about dietary habits including fish consumption. ## What they found The prevalence of moderate to severe PMS and PMDD was similar in both groups. However, athletes experienced worse physical symptoms and performance impacts from PMS compared to nonathletes. Among athletes, fish consumption was associated with lower odds of poor athletic performance from PMS (odds ratio 0.61, 95% CI 0.40-0.92). ## What it means for you Eating fish or dried fish may help female athletes manage PMS or PMDD effects on performance. However, this is a small study from one Japanese university, so results may not apply widely. The study was observational, not a controlled trial. 0.61 odds ratio for fish consumption and poor performance 200 athletes 312 total participants ## About the study Original title Fish Consumption and Premenstrual Syndrome and Dysphoric Disorder in Japanese Collegiate Athletes Authors Takeda T, Imoto Y, Nagasawa H et al. Journal Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology Year 2016 Study design Survey study Participants 312 What was tested Fish or dried fish consumption (observed dietary exposure) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2016.01.122](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2016.01.122) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/) 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 Survey study, 2019 What lifestyle and sleep habits are linked to PMS in teenage girls? Systematic review, 2025 How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling? Survey study, 2023 What factors make some women more likely to have PMS or PMDD? Survey study, 2026 Is PMDD linked to sleep problems, diet, and academic stress in female medical students? Survey study, 2026 How common is PMDD in Russian medical students, and what are its symptoms? Survey study, 2024 What types of premenstrual syndrome exist and how common are they? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗