---
title: Does appetite and food cravings change during the menstrual cycle, especially in women with PMS?
description: Yes. Energy intake is higher in the second half of the cycle (luteal phase) compared to around ovulation. Many women with PMS report carbohydrate cravings bef
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-cycle-and-appetite-control-implications-for-weight-regulation-1997/
---

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- Does appetite and food cravings change during the menstrual cycle, especially in women with PMS?

Review, 1997

# Does appetite and food cravings change during the menstrual cycle, especially in women with PMS?

Yes. Energy intake is higher in the second half of the cycle (luteal phase) compared to around ovulation. Many women with PMS report carbohydrate cravings before menstruation, possibly linked to changes in serotonin levels.

 Strong study design

Review article, not a study of specific people.

## What they did

Review article summarizing research on how menstrual cycle hormones affect appetite, food cravings, and eating behavior in women and animals.

## What they found

Energy intake varies during the menstrual cycle, with lower intake around ovulation and higher intake in the luteal phase (second half of cycle). Multiple studies report carbohydrate cravings in the premenstrual phase, particularly in women with PMS. Food cravings are often linked to depression and low serotonin activity.

## What it means for you

The premenstrual phase is a time when women are especially vulnerable to overeating, food cravings, and depression. These changes may be connected to shifts in serotonin levels in the brain. This is a review of existing research, not new findings, so it summarizes what scientists currently understand about appetite and the menstrual cycle.

## About the study

Original title Menstrual cycle and appetite control: implications for weight regulation Authors Dye L, Blundell JE Journal Human reproduction (Oxford, England) Year 1997 Study design Review What was tested Not applicable - review article. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1093/humrep/12.6.1142](https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/12.6.1142)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Case-control study, 2018

Do women with PMDD crave different foods than healthy women?

Case-control study, 2010

Do women with PMDD crave high-sugar and high-fat foods more than other women?

Randomised trial, 1995

Is paroxetine better than other antidepressants for treating severe PMS?

Survey study, 2024

Does nutrient intake and appetite change during the menstrual cycle relate to PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 2012

Do women with PMS eat more food before their period?

Interview study, 1992

Can eating carbohydrates help ease PMS symptoms by increasing serotonin in the brain?

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