Study, 1983
Does nutrition affect premenstrual symptoms?
Yes. Different types of premenstrual symptoms may respond to different nutritional approaches: vitamin B6 (200-800 mg per day) for anxiety and water retention, magnesium for appetite and cravings, and limiting salt (to 3 grams per day), caffeine, and nicotine.
What they did
This overview describes four types of premenstrual symptoms (PMT-A, PMT-H, PMT-C, PMT-D), each with different symptom patterns and associated nutritional factors. It reviews the biological changes in each type and nutritional approaches that may help.
What they found
Four subtypes of premenstrual symptoms are identified. PMT-A (anxiety and irritability) involves high blood estrogen and low progesterone, may improve with vitamin B6 (200-800 mg per day). PMT-H (water retention and bloating) may improve with vitamin B6, vitamin E, limiting salt to 3 grams per day, and avoiding caffeine and nicotine. PMT-C (sweet cravings) involves low magnesium and may improve with magnesium. PMT-D (depression, withdrawal, confusion) is the most serious. In 10 PMT-D women, hormone tests showed lower estrogen and higher progesterone. Two PMT-D women had high lead levels in hair tissue.
What it means for you
This framework suggests that different symptom patterns might respond to tailored nutritional changes. Women could use this to identify which type matches them and try appropriate nutritional approaches. However, evidence supporting these approaches comes from older research and small studies, so women should check with their doctor before taking high-dose vitamins or making major diet changes.
4
subtypes of premenstrual symptoms
200-800
mg per day of vitamin B6
3
grams per day sodium limit
About the study
- Original title
- Nutritional factors in the etiology of the premenstrual tension syndromes
- Authors
- Abraham GE
- Journal
- The Journal of reproductive medicine
- Year
- 1983
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- Vitamin B6 (200-800 mg per day), vitamin E, magnesium, limiting salt to 3 grams per day, avoiding caffeine and nicotine
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6684167/
Topics
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