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Case report, 1992

Is severe overeating linked to the premenstrual period in women with PMS?

Yes. This woman experienced uncontrollable binge eating only during her premenstrual period, especially in the 3 to 5 days before her period.

Early or limited evidence One 20-year-old university student with PMS and premenstrual binge eating.

What they did

Researchers tracked one 20-year-old woman's food intake using a daily diary for two consecutive menstrual cycles.

What they found

In both cycles she ate much more during premenstrual days than postmenstrual days. The extra calories were 679 in the first cycle and 703 in the second. All binge episodes occurred in the 5 days before menstruation, with the biggest eating in days 3 to 5 before her period.

What it means for you

This shows that severe eating increases can be part of PMS for some women. The limit is that this is one case, so we don't know how common this is or how to treat it.

679 calories

extra intake in first cycle

703 calories

extra intake in second cycle

2

menstrual cycles tracked

About the study

Original title
Premenstrual tension syndrome with periodic bulimia nervosa: report of a case and review of the literature
Authors
Lee MC, Lee SH
Journal
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi
Year
1992
Study design
Case report
What was tested
Daily food diary. Not a treatment.

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