---
title: What causes changes in how much women eat at different times of their menstrual cycle?
description: A literature review suggests several factors may cause increases in eating during the luteal phase (before the period), including PMS severity and food-seekin
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/possible-factors-for-altered-energy-balance-across-the-menstrual-cycle-a-closer-2012/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- What causes changes in how much women eat at different times of their menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2012

# What causes changes in how much women eat at different times of their menstrual cycle?

A literature review suggests several factors may cause increases in eating during the luteal phase (before the period), including PMS severity and food-seeking behavior. More research is needed, especially in women who are overweight.

 Early or limited evidence

Literature review examining research across populations

## What they did

Literature review examining research on energy intake and expenditure across the menstrual cycle, and the roles of PMS severity, food reward, and hormones.

## What they found

Women eat more and use more energy during the luteal phase. PMS severity and food reward drive appear to affect eating patterns. Leptin levels fluctuate across the cycle in some studies but not others.

## What it means for you

Several factors might explain why women eat differently at different times of their cycle, but we need more research to understand these relationships, especially in women who are overweight.

## About the study

Original title Possible factors for altered energy balance across the menstrual cycle: a closer look at the severity of PMS, reward driven behaviors and leptin variations Authors McNeil J, Doucet É Journal European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology Year 2012 Study design Survey study What was tested None - literature review Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2012.03.008](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2012.03.008)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)

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

Review, 1997

Does appetite and food cravings change during the menstrual cycle, especially in women with PMS?

Review, 2026

Can diet and nutrition help reduce PMS symptoms?

Cohort study, 2026

Are diet and lifestyle linked to premenstrual symptoms in college students?

Cohort study, 2026

Are stress, physical activity, and diet linked to premenstrual symptoms?

Survey study, 2026

How do pain, sleep quality, and appetite change across the menstrual cycle?

Case-control study, 2026

Does vitamin D help PMS symptoms?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗