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.
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
Topics
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