Skip to content

Survey study, 2013

Do women with PMS have different blood sugar and insulin levels than healthy women?

Yes, women with PMS had significantly lower blood glucose and lower insulin resistance during both menstrual phases compared to healthy women, but this was a small study with unclear practical importance.

Early or limited evidence 30 women with severe PMS and 30 healthy controls, all medical students in Iran

What they did

Compared 30 medical students with severe PMS symptoms to 30 healthy age-matched medical students. Blood glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance were measured during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.

What they found

Women with PMS had significantly lower blood glucose during both phases (p=0.011 in follicular phase, p<0.0001 in luteal phase) and lower insulin resistance in the luteal phase (p=0.0005) compared to controls.

What it means for you

This suggests metabolism may differ in women with PMS, but it is a small study in a specific population (medical students in Iran) and does not show whether these differences affect health or symptoms.

30

women per group

p<0.0001

glucose difference (luteal)

p=0.0005

insulin resistance difference

About the study

Original title
Blood glucose levels, insulin concentrations, and insulin resistance in healthy women and women with premenstrual syndrome: a comparative study
Authors
Zarei S, Mosalanejad L, Ghobadifar MA
Journal
Clinical and experimental reproductive medicine
Year
2013
Study design
Survey study
Participants
30
What was tested
None
Open access
Yes

Topics