---
title: Does caffeine make PMS worse? | Niyora
description: Yes. Caffeine may aggravate premenstrual syndrome symptoms, especially in people who are caffeine-sensitive or who consume heavy amounts chronically.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/psychotropic-effects-of-caffeine-1988/
---

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- Does caffeine make PMS worse?

Review, 1988

# Does caffeine make PMS worse?

Yes. Caffeine may aggravate premenstrual syndrome symptoms, especially in people who are caffeine-sensitive or who consume heavy amounts chronically.

 Early or limited evidence

Review of research on caffeine users and people with psychiatric conditions

## What they did

The authors reviewed research on how caffeine affects mental health and mood.

## What they found

Chronic heavy caffeine use may cause or worsen anxiety and may be associated with depression. Caffeine may cause anxiety and panic in people with panic disorder and may aggravate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Caffeine-sensitive people may develop caffeinism at relatively low doses.

## What it means for you

If you have PMS, cutting back on caffeine might help reduce symptoms, especially if you're caffeine-sensitive. This is a review of caffeine research, not a study specifically measuring how much reduction helps.

## About the study

Original title Psychotropic effects of caffeine Authors Clementz GL, Dailey JW Journal American family physician Year 1988 Study design Review Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3284301/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3284301/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)

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