--- title: Does skipping breakfast affect menstrual cramps and irregular periods? description: Yes. Women who skipped breakfast had worse menstrual cramps, irregular periods, and poor general health compared to those who ate breakfast. This was a survey url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/skipping-breakfast-adversely-affects-menstrual-disorders-in-young-college-2009/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does skipping breakfast affect menstrual cramps and irregular periods? Survey study, 2009 # Does skipping breakfast affect menstrual cramps and irregular periods? Yes. Women who skipped breakfast had worse menstrual cramps, irregular periods, and poor general health compared to those who ate breakfast. This was a survey where women reported their own habits, so we can't be sure breakfast directly causes these problems. Early or limited evidence 315 college students ## What they did Cross-sectional survey of 315 college students. Researchers divided them into groups based on breakfast habits (eaten or skipped), fast food consumption, and processed food consumption. Participants rated the severity of menstrual cramps on a three-point scale and reported whether their periods were regular or irregular. ## What they found Students who skipped breakfast had high menstrual cramp scores, irregular periods, and reported poor general health. Students who ate fast foods also had high cramp scores. Students who ate processed foods had high cramp scores and poor general health. No clear connection was found between diet and premenstrual symptoms. ## What it means for you Breakfast appeared linked to menstrual symptoms. However, this survey only asked women to recall their eating habits from memory, so we cannot prove breakfast directly causes these problems. Other lifestyle factors might explain the differences. Results were limited to college students and may not apply to other age groups or populations. 315 College students surveyed 3 Dysmenorrhea severity grades ## About the study Original title Skipping breakfast adversely affects menstrual disorders in young college students Authors Fujiwara T, Sato N, Awaji H et al. Journal International journal of food sciences and nutrition Year 2009 Study design Survey study Participants 315 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/09637480802260998](https://doi.org/10.1080/09637480802260998) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) 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 Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Survey study, 2024 How much do Indonesian 9th graders know about PMS and what are their attitudes? Cohort study, 2019 How do exercise, diet and weight affect menstrual problems? Survey study, 2019 What lifestyle and sleep habits are linked to PMS in teenage girls? Survey study, 2015 How common is PMS and other menstrual problems in teenage girls? Survey study, 2006 What menstrual problems do adolescent girls experience? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗