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Study, 1990

Does blood sugar metabolism work differently in women with PMS?

This study found no clear differences in blood glucose or insulin levels between women with PMS and those without, except that women without PMS had higher insulin at one time point. This suggests blood sugar problems are not important in PMS.

Early or limited evidence 26 women (9 without PMS and 17 with PMS)

What they did

Researchers tested 26 women (9 without PMS and 17 with PMS) using a three-hour oral glucose tolerance test on day 5 and day 25 of their menstrual cycle. They measured blood glucose and insulin levels throughout. Ovulation was confirmed using basal body temperature records and progesterone blood tests.

What they found

Blood glucose levels did not change differently between day 5 and day 25 in either group. Insulin levels also did not change differently, except that women without PMS had higher insulin at the 2-hour mark on day 5.

What it means for you

This study suggests that blood sugar and insulin metabolism may not be different in women with PMS. This means blood sugar problems may not be part of what causes PMS. The main limits are the small sample size and that only one type of blood sugar test was used.

9

women without PMS

17

women with PMS

3

hours for glucose tolerance test

About the study

Original title
Plasma glucose and insulin levels during the menstrual cycles of normal women and premenstrual syndrome patients
Authors
Spellacy WN, Ellingson AB, Keith G et al.
Journal
The Journal of reproductive medicine
Year
1990
Study design
Study
Participants
17

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