Survey study, 2026
Does following a gluten-free diet reduce PMS symptoms in teenagers with celiac disease?
Yes. Teenagers with celiac disease who strictly follow a gluten-free diet had much lower PMS scores than those who don't follow it, especially in depression, pain, sleep, and concentration.
What they did
In a cross-sectional study, 50 teenage girls with biopsy-confirmed celiac disease and 42 healthy teenage girls completed a PMS questionnaire. Diet adherence was measured three ways: blood tests for gluten antibodies, self-reported compliance, and dietary records reviewed by a dietitian.
What they found
Overall PMS prevalence was similar between celiac disease and healthy groups. However, teenagers with celiac disease who followed a gluten-free diet strictly had significantly lower PMS scores than non-compliant patients (p=0.001 by dietitian assessment) and than healthy controls. Non-compliant patients reported more severe symptoms in depression, pain, sleep, and concentration.
What it means for you
If you have celiac disease, sticking to a gluten-free diet might reduce your PMS symptoms. The study shows this in teenagers only, so results may not apply to adults. The study measured the association but did not test whether improving diet compliance would improve PMS symptoms.
p=0.001
significance for lower PMS scores in diet-compliant patients
50
adolescents with celiac disease
42
healthy control adolescents
About the study
- Original title
- The Influence of Dietary Compliance on Premenstrual Symptoms in Adolescents with Celiac Disease
- Authors
- Jaferi L, Kızılkan MP, Yıldırım D et al.
- Journal
- Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 50
- What was tested
- Comparison of gluten-free diet adherence levels (observational)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2026.08.006
Topics
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