Survey study, 2024
Does nutrient intake and appetite change during the menstrual cycle relate to PMS symptoms?
Women who eat more carbohydrates, protein, fat, and saturated fat have worse PMS symptoms including anxiety, irritability, depression, pain, fatigue, and sleep problems. Higher appetite also correlates with worse mood and fatigue.
What they did
410 women aged 18-40 at a hospital nutrition clinic recorded everything they ate for 3 days, completed an appetite questionnaire, and filled out a PMS symptom scale.
What they found
As intake of carbohydrates, protein, fat, and saturated fat increased, PMS symptoms worsened significantly including anxiety, irritability, depressive feelings, pain, fatigue, appetite changes, and sleep problems (p less than 0.01). As appetite scores increased, depression, fatigue, sleep changes, bloating, and appetite changes also increased (p less than 0.05).
What it means for you
Eating patterns and appetite change around menstruation, and higher nutrient intake links to worse PMS symptoms. It is unclear whether eating more causes worse symptoms or if symptoms make women eat more. The study was from one hospital clinic in Turkey.
410
women studied
p less than 0.01
strength of macronutrient correlation with PMS
p less than 0.05
strength of appetite correlation with PMS
About the study
- Original title
- Relationship between menstruation period, nutrients intake and appetite with premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Nur Çengel, Müge Arslan
- Journal
- Journal of Human Sciences
- Year
- 2024
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 410
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.14687/jhs.v21i2.6459
Topics
Related studies
Survey study, 2026
How do pain, sleep quality, and appetite change across the menstrual cycle?
Study, 2022
Does having COVID-19 affect premenstrual syndrome symptoms?
Survey study, 2019
What are the best ways to manage PMS?
Survey study, 2017
Are PMS symptoms linked to mood disorders and personality?
Case-control study, 1989
Does eating carbohydrates help depression during the late luteal phase in women with severe PMS?
Review, 1997
Does appetite and food cravings change during the menstrual cycle, especially in women with PMS?