--- title: What patterns of mood changes and food cravings occur during the menstrual cycle in college students? description: Nearly 60% reported food cravings during menstruation, with dairy products most common. Mood swings were most prominent in the premenstrual phase and linked t url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-related-mood-changes-and-food-cravings-a-cross-sectional-study-among-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - What patterns of mood changes and food cravings occur during the menstrual cycle in college students? Survey study, 2026 # What patterns of mood changes and food cravings occur during the menstrual cycle in college students? Nearly 60% reported food cravings during menstruation, with dairy products most common. Mood swings were most prominent in the premenstrual phase and linked to poor sleep quality. Early or limited evidence 280 female college students aged 18-32 in India ## What they did Cross-sectional survey of 280 female college students aged 18-32 at PSG College of Arts and Science in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Researchers used a structured self-administered questionnaire asking about menstrual patterns, mood changes, food cravings, dietary habits, sleep quality, and coping strategies. ## What they found A significant association was found between menstrual regularity and mood swings, most prominent in the premenstrual phase. Nearly 60% reported food cravings during menstruation, mainly dairy products followed by spicy foods, sweets, and salty snacks. Poor sleep quality was significantly associated with increased mood disturbances. ## What it means for you Most college-aged women experience premenstrual mood changes and food cravings that affect their daily life. The study is limited because it was observational and only included students in one location in India, so results may not apply to all women. 280 College students in study Nearly 60% Reported food cravings ## About the study Original title Menstrual-related mood changes and food cravings: A cross-sectional study among college students Authors Vijay Bhuvaneswari T, Jenifer Antony Journal International Journal of Multidisciplinary Trends Year 2026 Study design Survey study Participants 280 What was tested None (observational study) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.22271/multi.2026.v8.i2a.907](https://doi.org/10.22271/multi.2026.v8.i2a.907) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Mood swings and emotion regulation](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-emotional-regulation/)[Sleep and insomnia](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sleep/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[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/)[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 Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Survey study, 2026 How do pain, sleep quality, and appetite change across the menstrual cycle? Survey study, 2025 Is emotional eating linked to PMS in university women? Randomised trial, 2023 Does alternate-day modified fasting improve PMS symptoms and quality of life in overweight or obese women? Survey study, 2023 How common is PMS in female college students and does it affect quality of life? Survey study, 2019 What diet and lifestyle factors are linked to PMS in university students? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗