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.
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
Topics
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