Case-control study, 1993
Does alcohol or caffeine affect PMS?
Alcohol consumption appears linked to PMS, particularly drinking during the symptom-free part of the menstrual cycle. Women who drank 10 or more drinks per week were much more likely to have moderate to severe PMS. Caffeine showed no clear link to PMS.
What they did
A case-control study compared 102 women with PMS to 102 women without PMS matched by age and race. Researchers measured how much alcohol and caffeine each woman consumed during the symptom-free period and during the 2 weeks before her period.
What they found
Women with PMS drank about 1.41 more servings of alcohol per week during the symptom-free period than women without PMS. Women drinking 10 or more drinks per week were much more likely to have moderate to severe PMS. The pattern was also seen with alcohol consumed during the 2 weeks before the period, though weaker. Caffeine intake was similar in both groups.
What it means for you
More drinking in the symptom-free period is linked with having PMS, suggesting drinking is not simply a response to symptoms. However, this only shows a connection, not that alcohol causes PMS. The study is from 1993, so current drinking patterns may differ.
102
women with PMS
102
women without PMS
1.41
additional alcohol servings per week (postmenstrual)
About the study
- Original title
- Association between alcoholic and caffeinated beverages and premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Caan B, Duncan D, Hiatt R et al.
- Journal
- The Journal of reproductive medicine
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Case-control study
- What was tested
- None - observational study of drinking patterns
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8410870/
Topics
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