--- title: Does heavy use of caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco link to worse PMS symptoms? description: College women who used more caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco had more severe PMS symptoms. The more substances used together, the worse the symptoms became. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/licit-substance-use-and-premenstrual-syndrome-symptom-severity-in-female-college-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does heavy use of caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco link to worse PMS symptoms? Cohort study, 2022 # Does heavy use of caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco link to worse PMS symptoms? College women who used more caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco had more severe PMS symptoms. The more substances used together, the worse the symptoms became. Early or limited evidence 196 female college students ## What they did Cross-sectional survey of 196 female college students. Researchers asked about daily or problem use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco, and measured PMS symptom severity using a standard scale. ## What they found PMS symptom severity showed a dose-response pattern based on number of substances used. Pain symptoms significantly increased with substance use (F(2,190)=4.47, p=0.013). Emotional and behavioral symptoms showed even stronger associations (p<0.001). ## What it means for you Reducing caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco might help PMS symptoms. This was a one-time survey of college students, not following them over time, so we cannot prove substance use causes worse PMS. Results may not apply to other age groups. 196 female college students surveyed 0.013 pain symptoms significance <0.001 emotional and behavioral symptoms ## About the study Original title Licit Substance Use and Premenstrual Syndrome Symptom Severity in Female College Students Authors Polak K, Nora P, Perry B et al. Journal Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.) Year 2022 Study design Cohort study Participants 196 What was tested Daily or problem use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1089/whr.2021.0117](https://doi.org/10.1089/whr.2021.0117) Original abstract Introduction: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects the majority of women and is characterized by physical, behavioral, and mood symptoms, which can have a profound impact on quality of life. PMS symptoms have also been linked to licit substance use. This study examined the relationships between daily/problem use (DPU) of caffeine (Caf + ), alcohol (Alc + ), and tobacco (Cig + ) and PMS symptomology in a sample of college women. Methods: Participants ( N = 196) completed an anonymous one-time health survey. Demographic, PMS symptomatology, and DPU of licit substance variables were examined. Independent t -tests compared PMS symptom scores in women with and without Caf + , Cig + , and Alc + use. One-way analysis of variances examined the associations between PMS symptom severity and number of DPU-positive substances. Results: PMS subscale severity (pain [ F (2,190) = 4.47, p = 0.013], affective [ F (2,192) = 8.21, p F (2,191) = 13.37, p F (2,189) = 10.22, p < 0.001] showed a dose response effect, with the number of licit substances with DPU significantly associated with PMS symptom severity. Conclusions: This study findings provide important new information about the relationship between PMS symptoms and at-risk substance use. These are cross-sectional data, however, and affirm a need for longitudinal research to better understand the associations, with a focus on potential benefits of education and intervention. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/) 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, 2024 What are the most common PMS symptoms in medical students and what lifestyle factors make them worse? Survey study, 2026 What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women? Cohort study, 2026 Are diet and lifestyle linked to premenstrual symptoms in college students? Survey study, 2025 Do certain nutrients and body weight affect PMS? Survey study, 2025 Is PMS connected to mental health problems and lifestyle choices? Survey study, 2023 Does eating more fiber help reduce PMS symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗