--- title: Is premenstrual syndrome linked to anxiety, digestive problems, and food choices? description: Women with PMS were more likely to have anxiety and digestive problems like IBS and constipation, and to eat more meat and fast food but less carbohydrates. H url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-prevalence-of-premenstrual-syndrome-and-its-relationship-with-food-intake-2017/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Is premenstrual syndrome linked to anxiety, digestive problems, and food choices? Survey study, 2017 # Is premenstrual syndrome linked to anxiety, digestive problems, and food choices? Women with PMS were more likely to have anxiety and digestive problems like IBS and constipation, and to eat more meat and fast food but less carbohydrates. However, this study only shows associations, so we cannot know whether these factors cause PMS or result from it. Early or limited evidence 200 university women in Iran living in dormitories ## What they did Researchers surveyed 200 university women living in dormitories in Iran. They used questionnaires to assess PMS symptoms, anxiety (both obvious and hidden anxiety), digestive disorders such as IBS and constipation, and daily food intake. ## What they found Overall, 47.5% had PMS. Women with PMS were significantly more likely to have IBS (p=0.009) and constipation (p=0.034). Women with PMS were also significantly more likely to have obvious anxiety (p=0.024) and hidden anxiety (p=0.001). Women with PMS ate significantly more meat (p=0.021) and fast foods (p=0.002) and significantly less carbohydrates (p=0.006) compared to women without PMS. ## What it means for you Several factors appear connected to PMS, including anxiety, digestive problems, and diet. However, because this study only measured associations without tracking women over time, we cannot know whether anxiety or poor diet cause PMS, or whether PMS causes anxiety and changes eating habits. 47.5% Prevalence of PMS p=0.009 Link between PMS and IBS p=0.001 Link between PMS and hidden anxiety ## About the study Original title The Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome and its Relationship with Food Intake, Anxiety and Digestive Disorders in University Student Girls Authors Sima Jafarirad Journal MOJ Food Processing & Technology Year 2017 Study design Survey study Participants 200 What was tested Observational study with no intervention assessed associations between PMS and other factors Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.15406/mojfpt.2017.05.00131](https://doi.org/10.15406/mojfpt.2017.05.00131) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[IBS and gut symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-ibs-gi/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) 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 Survey study, 2026 What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women? Case-control study, 2020 Is diet quality lower in teenagers with PMS? Cohort study, 2026 Are eating behaviors linked to how severe a woman's PMS symptoms are? Survey study, 2026 How common is PMDD in Russian medical students, and what are its symptoms? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Survey study, 2025 Is emotional eating linked to PMS in university women? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗