---
title: Do women eat differently before their period, especially those with PMS?
description: Women without PMS typically ate more before their period, particularly more sugar and alcohol, but women with PMS showed no clear pattern in overall eating, t
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/modest-changes-in-dietary-intake-across-the-menstrual-cycle-implications-for-2021/
---

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- Do women eat differently before their period, especially those with PMS?

Survey study, 2021

# Do women eat differently before their period, especially those with PMS?

Women without PMS typically ate more before their period, particularly more sugar and alcohol, but women with PMS showed no clear pattern in overall eating, though they did consume more sugar and alcohol premenstrually.

 Moderate study design

31 women with PMS and 27 control women without PMS

## What they did

Researchers collected 3-day food intake data from 31 women with PMS and 27 control women without PMS at two times: during the post-menstrual phase (after their period) and during the premenstrual phase (before their period).

## What they found

In women without PMS, food intake was usually higher in the premenstrual phase. In women with PMS, overall energy and nutrient intake was similar between the two phases. However, women with PMS consumed more non-milk sugars and alcohol in the premenstrual phase. The severity of PMS symptoms was connected to how much more sugar and alcohol they consumed before their period.

## What it means for you

Women without PMS tend to eat more before their period, but women with PMS don't show this clear pattern. Women with PMS specifically eat more sugar and alcohol before their period, and this is connected to worse symptoms. These dietary changes were small overall. The main limits: only 58 women were studied and only 3 days of food intake were measured in each cycle phase.

31

women with PMS

27

control women without PMS

3

days of food data collected per phase

## About the study

Original title Modest changes in dietary intake across the menstrual cycle: Implications for food intake research Authors K. P. Truesdale, L. Dye, M. Bryant Journal Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) Year 2021 Study design Survey study What was tested 3-day food intake records during two cycle phases Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.17615/g2se-m424](https://doi.org/10.17615/g2se-m424)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[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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